2 out Olympic stars power Team USA to dominant hockey opener

The U.S. women’s ice hockey team’s quest for third Olympic gold medal got off to a hot start Thursday thanks in part to two of its three out LGBTQ leaders, Alex Carpenter and Hilary Knight.

Carpenter opened the scoring in the first period of Team USA’s Olympic-opening 5-1 victory over Czechia, deflecting a shot from fellow assistant captain Megan Keller to net her sixth power play goal in Olympic play.

Knight upped the score to 4-1 late in the second period off an assist from Carpenter for her 13th Olympic goal, one shy of tying Natalie Darwitz and Kathryn King for the most goals all-time in American Olympic history.

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Here are the out LGBTQ hockey players competing at the Milan Winter Olympics
There are at least 22 out LGBTQ players competing in the women’s hockey tournament at the Milan Winter Olympics.

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American forward Hayley Scamurra led all scorers with two goals to help preserve the U.S.’s undefeated record in Olympic openers. She is currently tied with out LGBTQ Swedish forward Lina Ljorgblom for the tournament lead in goals after the first round of group play.

“I love that we’re a threat from everywhere,” Carpenter said in an interview during the first intermission. “I think, no matter where you look on our power play, there are all sorts of strengths, but I think the way we work together is truly unmatched,” 

The American women will next take the ice on Saturday against Finland in their Olympic opener after their game against Canada, originally scheduled for Thursday, was postponed after 13 Finnish players were quarantined or placed in isolation due to norovirus.

Canada vs. Finland has been rescheduled for February 12.

Knight and Carpenter are only two of the out athletes competing at these Milan Winter Olympics. There are at least 45 publicly out LGBTQ athletes competing, and some coaches as well. Women’s ice hockey is responsible for over half — 23 in all — of the out Olympians competing in Milan and Cortina.

Cayla Barnes is the third publicly out woman competing on the ice for Team USA at the Olympics.

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