Beijing Olympics 2022: Brianna Decker, USA women's hockey star, out for rest of Games with leg injury
Decker was stretchered off the ice minutes into the opening game
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1 min read
The United States' women's hockey team won their opening game at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics on Thursday, but from here on out they will be without one of their star players. Brianna Decker was stretchered off the ice in what seemed to be a leg injury just minutes into an eventual 5-2 win over Finland.
USA Hockey has since confirmed that Decker will not play again in the tournament. It's a major loss for a team looking to win its second consecutive gold medal.
Ice Hockey is a tough sport.
— 7Olympics (@7olympics) February 3, 2022
Hoping Brianna Decker is ok 🙏#Beijing2022 | #7Olympics pic.twitter.com/ZCwL7WncAR
The injury took place against Finland in the first period, when opposing player Ronja Savolainen tripped Decker from behind. The two fell after Savolainen hooked her leg around Decker. Decker was visibly in pain and did not seem to be able to put weight on the injured left leg.
There was no penalty called on the play.
Several screams from star U.S. forward Brianna Decker as she got clipped from behind less than 10 minutes into her Olympics. Alert as she's taken off ice. (Getty) pic.twitter.com/mm6xN7pveo
— Nick Zaccardi (@nzaccardi) February 3, 2022
After being taken off the ice, the 30-year-old assistant captain was seen on crutches and in a boot, watching the team finish the game.
This was Decker's third Olympic appearance. Team USA will face the Russian Olympic Committee on Saturday, Feb. 5 at 8:10 a.m. in the preliminary round. On Sunday, Feb. 6 the United States will compete against Switzerland in the preliminary round at 8:10 a.m.
