‘It was sickening’: USA women’s hockey team lose star Decker in Olympic opener

The mighty United States women’s hockey team launched their first Olympic title defense in two decades with an air of menace on Thursday night, roaring to a 5-2 win in the opening game of pool play against a Finland team expected to contend for a medal.

But the Americans’ hopes of becoming the first team to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals were dealt a devastating blow early on when assistant captain Brianna Decker suffered a leg injury that will sideline her for the duration of the tournament.

Decker, a three-time Olympian and steady veteran presence who has scored 170 points in 146 appearances with the national team, became trapped beneath Finland defender Ronja Savolainen midway through the opening period and the game still scoreless. The 31-year-old forward’s screams resounded through the nearly empty arena in a horrifying scene until she was stretchered off the ice by medical staff.

“It was sickening,” USA forward Amanda Kessel said afterward. “She is one of the toughest players I have ever played with. She is not staying down on the ice and not crying if it was not bad.”

She added: “We want to win for her.”

Kessel wasted no time after play resumed, tucking in the opening goal for Team USA less than two minutes later on an assist from Savannah Harmon. The Americans doubled the margin shortly after when Alex Carpenter beat the goaltender upstairs on a power play, making Finland pay for a Petra Nieminen hooking penalty.

The US took the game by the scruff after the first intermission, firing shots on goal with greater frequency until USA captain Kendall Coyne Schofield broke through twice in a 64-second span to bust things open. The Americans outshot their opponents 19-2 in the middle period and 52-12 overall.

Finl