A Canadian-born player scored a huge goal for the Chinese women’s hockey team on Sunday at the Beijing Olympics.
North Vancouver native Hannah Miller, whose Chinese name on the roster is Le Mi, scored the only goal in the shootout as the host team beat Japan 2-1.
#TeamChina's incredible shootout win keeps their playoff hopes alive, while the single point sends #TeamJapan to the quarter-finals. #Beijing2022
Game Story: https://t.co/TUcT3Y3bYk pic.twitter.com/udtmLzLPH9
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) February 6, 2022
It was the second win in three games for China, which is closing in on a quarterfinal berth.
Reuters reported there has been mixed reaction in China to the host country using foreign-born hockey players with Chinese ties to fill out nearly half the spots on the women’s and men’s rosters at the Games.
Reuters reported Miller joined the Chinese-owned KRS Vanke Rays, which is now based in Russia, in 2018, allowing her to meet International Ice Hockey Federation residency requirements.
Miller previously played for the Canadian under-18 team as well as with NCAA St. Lawrence.
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Japan, with two wins and an overtime loss, leads the lower-ranked Group B and has clinched a spot in the quarterfinals. The Czech Republic (2-0), followed by China, Sweden (0-2) and Denmark (0-2).
The top three Group B teams advance to the quarterfinals, along with all five teams from Group A — Canada, the United States, Finland, Russia and Switzerland.
United States 8, Switzerland 0
Kelly Pannek, Hilary Knight and Jesse Compher scored two goals apiece as the Americans improved to 3-0. They now enjoy a day off before a showdown against Canada. The Swiss are 0-3.
Record watch
Canada’s Natalie Spooner, with nine points on two goals and seven assists, is threatening to break Canadian Hayley Wickenheiser’s records from 2006 for most points (17) and assists (12) in an Olympic tournament.
Monday schedule
Canada vs. Russia, 11:10 p.m. ET (Sunday)
Denmark vs. Czech Republic, 3:40 a.m. ET
China vs. Sweden, 8:10 a.m. ET
Switzerland vs. Finland, 8:10 a.m. ET
Monday spotlight
Canada will try to score in double digits for the third time in as many attempts when it faces a Russian team that was outshot 62-12 by the Americans last time out. Another one-sided game would help the Canadians not overuse any players before the game against the U.S.
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