U.S. Women's Hockey Team, Including Riverside Player, Wins Opener

EASTVALE, CA -- Defenseman Cayla Barnes from Eastvale in northwestern Riverside County was on the ice when the U.S. women's hockey team scored the tying goal in a 3-1 victory over Finland as both teams began preliminary round play in the 2018 Winter Olympics Sunday in Gangneung, South Korea.

Monique Lamoureux-Morando put in her own rebound to tie the score eight minutes, 58 seconds into the second period. The U.S took the lead 2:31 later on Kendall Coyne's power-play goal.

Dani Cameranesi added an empty-net goal with 13 seconds left in the matchup of two of the world's three top-ranked teams.

Finland opened the scoring with six seconds left in the first period on Venia Hovi's goal.

The U.S. led 42-24 in shots, including a 23-5 advantage in the second period.

U.S. goaltender Maddie Rooney made 23 saves. Noora Raty made 39 saves for Finland.

The U.S. scored on one of four power-play opportunities. The U.S. killed both of Finland's power-play opportunities, which both came in the third period.

Barnes took a shot in the third period that was stopped by Raty. She played 13:21 in 19 shifts.

The U.S. has won 22 of its 27 games since women's hockey became part of the Olympics in 1998, including all seven against Finland. All but one of the losses has come to Canada.

The U.S. has won all six of its opening games in the Olympics, never allowing more than one goal in its opening contests.

The U.S. has been first in each of the past two annual rankings while Finland has been third in each of the past three. The rankings are based on the last four World Championships conducted by the International Ice Hockey Federation and the last Olympic tournament.

The U.S. has won each of the last four World Championships while Finland has finished third twice and fourth twice. The championships are held annually, except in Olympic years.

The U.S. will next play Tuesday against Olympic Athletes from Russia in a game beginning at 4:10 a.m. PST. The game will be televised by cable's NBC Sports Network.

Barnes, who turned 19 on Jan. 7, is the youngest U.S. hockey player in the Pyeongchang Games.
Barnes describes herself as a "creative, offensive defenseman."

Reagan Carey, general manager of the 2018 U.S. Olympic women's team, called Barnes "a poised, young defenseman."

Barnes was added to the 2017-18 U.S. women's national team roster Oct. 28, more than a month after it began practice in the Tampa suburb of Wesley Chapel, Florida.

Barnes had played the first five games of her college career for Boston College when she was added to the national team's roster. She withdrew from Boston College and will return in August to re-start her freshman year, both academically and athletically.

Barnes marched in Friday's opening ceremony which she called "a breathtaking experience."

"I felt so much joy walking out as I was surrounded by so many amazing athletes and representing an amazing country," said Barnes, who like the rest of the U.S. Olympic team was wearing a Ralph Lauren self-heating jacket.

"It is such a humbling moment and amazing to see the world come together through sport. I am beyond proud to be American. It is a night I will never forget."

--City News Service/Getty Images