Olympic Hockey: 6 Minnesota Natives Win Gold After Wild Shootout

From curling to cross-country skiing to ice hockey, Minnesotans are stepping up for Team USA at the 2018 Winter Games. Minnesota boasts the third-highest number of hometown athletes in the country.

The most recent — and arguably most dramatic — victory Minnesotans had a part of came from the ice. The 20-year gold medal drought for U.S. women's Olympic hockey ended Thursday in dramatic fashion as Team USA defeated arch nemesis Canada in a shootout victory Thursday in PyeongChang.

The United States scored first in the opening period when Hilary Knight steered a wrist shot from Minnetonka's Sidney Morin into the back of the net. Canada answered in the second period with two consecutive goals — one coming from ex-Minnesota Duluth forward Haley Irwin.

Goalie Maddie Rooney of Andover made a spectacular save in the third period to keep Team USA's hopes alive. The save set up a goal from Monique Lamoureux-Morando of the U.S. that tied the match at 2-2; that score wouldn't change in regulation.

When overtime couldn't decide it, the game went into shootouts where Lamoureux-Morando capped a breakout performance with the game-winning goal.

Scroll down to watch a video of the final goal

"They should make a movie on it," U.S. forward Hilary Knight told the Associated Press. "We had all the drama and everything. It's sort of a storybook ending to an incredible series of accomplishments."

The following six Minnesotans are now Olympic gold medalists:

Hannah Brandt, Vadnais Heights

Brandt is a 24-year-old graduate of the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, where she helped the team make it to three NCAA national championships. Continuing that success, she also participated in the World Championship multiple times, ultimately winning two gold medals and one silver. This is her first time competing in the Winter Games.

Lee Stecklein, Roseville

A recent graduate from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Stecklein has competed in four Four Nations Cups, four Women's World Championships, and helped the University of Minnesota team make it to three national championships. In 2014, Stecklein represented the U.S. in the Sochi Winter Olympic Games, earning a silver medal.

Maddie Rooney, Andover

The youngest Minnesotan member of Team USA, 20-year-old Rooney attends the University of Minnesota – Duluth and is a goalie for the U.S. Women's National Team. In 2017, she competed in the Four Nations Cup and the World Championship Experience, winning gold for both. Rooney attended Andover High School. This is her first Olympic experience

Gigi Marvin, Warroad

Currently in her second season as a player for the Boston Pride, Marvin is a two-time Olympic medalist.

Before going professional, Marvin played for her high school hockey team in Warroad, earning all-conference honors in each of her four years. She then went on to complete four seasons with the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, where she made school history by placing sixth overall with 195 points in 152 totaled games.

She has actively medaled in various events, including seven World Championship Experiences and eight Four Nations Cups.

Sidney Morin, Minnetonka

As a current player for the University of Minnesota – Duluth Women's Hockey Team, Morin is making her Olympic debut in South Korea. Previous international competition experiences include the IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championship, where she earned silver. Morin also competed on the 2012 U.S. Under-18 Women's Select Team. Morin is from Minnetonka, and is a graduate of Minnetonka High School.

Kelly Pannek, Plymouth

From Plymouth, Pannek is a forward for the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. Currently in her third season, she has helped the team make it to two Division I national championships. As a junior, Pannek led Division I Hockey with 62 points and 43 assists in 39 games. In 2017, Pannek played in the International Ice Hockey Federation U18 Women's World Championship with her team, and helped win the U.S. its first gold world title on American soil.

Photo: Gold medalists Madeline Rooney #35 and Sidney Morin #23 of the United States pose after defeating Canada 3-2 in the overtime penalty-shot shootout during the Women's Gold Medal Game on day thirteen of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre on February 22, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)