President Trump congratulates women's hockey team on gold medal
Though his Twitter feed has been active, President Donald Trump had not tweeted about the PyeongChang Olympics since the Games began earlier this month.
That all changed Thursday when the president offered congratulations to the U.S. women’s hockey team after it knocked off Canada 3-2 in a shootout to win the gold medal in dramatic fashion.
“On behalf of an entire Nation, CONGRATULATIONS to the U.S. Women’s Hockey Team on winning the GOLD!” Trump wrote.
On behalf of an entire Nation, CONGRATULATIONS to the U.S. Women's Hockey Team on winning the GOLD! #GoTeamUSA #Olympics pic.twitter.com/3cUZwLVGua
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 22, 2018
The Americans trailed 2-1 in the third period until Monique Lamoureux-Morando snuck a wrist shot past the glove of Canadian goaltender Shannon Szabados with 6:21 left in the third. Lamoureux-Morando’s goal ultimately forced overtime, and when the 20-minute sudden death period came and went without a goal, it was time for a shootout.
It was Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson, Lamoureux-Morando’s twin sister, who came up in the clutch, besting Szabados with a nifty move to put the U.S. ahead in the shootout. Canada still had a chance, but a save by 20-year-old goalie Maddie Rooney gave Team USA its first Olympic championship in 20 years.
The congratulatory tweet to the women’s hockey team was Trump’s first about the Olympics since the two he sent Feb. 7, two days before Games began.
Best wishes to the Republic of Korea on hosting the @Olympics! What a wonderful opportunity to show everyone that you are a truly GREAT NATION! pic.twitter.com/aboM2Up48y
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 7, 2018
Congratulations to the Republic of Korea on what will be a MAGNIFICENT Winter Olympics! What the South Korean people have built is truly an inspiration! pic.twitter.com/giN2B1h6Ph
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 7, 2018
With the president remaining in the United States, Vice President Mike Pence led the U.S. delegation at the Opening Ceremony. The president’s daughter, Ivanka, will be on hand for the closing ceremony.
“I am honored to lead the US delegation to the closing ceremonies of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics. We look forward to congratulating Team USA and celebrating all that our athletes have achieved. Their talent, drive, grit and spirit embodies American excellence, and inspire us all,” she said in a statement.
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Sam Cooper is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
