Michigan's Megan Keller and Kirsten Simms spearhead Team USA's dominant Olympic hockey start, boasting multiple wins and impressive individual performances.
The Winter Olympics are fully underway, and while fans wait for the men’s ice hockey tournament to begin next Wednesday, there is already plenty to cheer for on the women’s side, especially for hockey fans in Michigan.
Two players with Great Lakes State roots are helping power Team USA through the early stages of the tournament in Megan Keller and Kirsten Simms. Both have appeared in the Americans’ first two games, as the U.S. opened Olympic play with a convincing 5–1 victory over Czechia before shutting out a strong Finnish squad 5–0 in its second outing.
Keller, a 29-year-old native of Farmington Hills, Michigan, has been a standout on the blue line. In the opening game against Czechia, she logged a heavy 20:33 of ice time and picked up an assist on the game’s first goal, scored by Alex Carpenter.
She elevated her performance even further in the win over Finland, skating 20:53 and recording three points with one goal and two assists. Through two games, Keller now leads Team USA in scoring with four total points, an impressive feat for a defender.
Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.
Simms, a 21-year-old from Plymouth, Michigan, has contributed as a depth forward in the early going. She played 13:37 in the opener, recording two shots on goal, and saw her ice time increase to 14:36 against Finland. While she did not register a shot in the second game, she helped provide depth and energy to the American lineup in the dominant win.
Both Michigan natives will look to continue Team USA’s strong start when the Americans take on Switzerland on Monday.
Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.