United States forward Abby Roque added more fuel to one of the best rivalries in sport after her team lost 2-1 to Canada in the final of the Women’s World Hockey Championship on Sunday in Denmark.
In comments made to the media, Roque accused Canada of diving.
“I think they have lots of players who dive around,” Roque said, per The Canadian Press. “I think it’s ridiculous. It’s not the way to play hockey. We play a tough, disciplined game. That’s how we are.”
“We want to play physical like hockey should be and they’ve got a lot of players who jump into the boards.”
Each team scored once on the power play in the final, with Roque cashing in for the Americans and Brianne Jenner doing the honours for Canada.
The U.S. went 1-for-3 on the power play, while Canada was 1-for-4.
The Americans also made some eye-opening comments before the tournament to The Associated Press with forward Hilary Knight giving her opinion of where her team ranked.
“I truly think we’re the best team in the world. And when that doesn’t show up in a tournament setting, then we haven’t achieved our potential,” Knight said. “So I think we’ve only scratched the surface at the Olympics.”
Informed there might be 23 players from Canada who might differ with her assessment of who’s best, Knight shrugged and said: “That’s fine. I don’t care. Cool.”
The Canadians won the 2022 Olympics and have now captured two world titles in a row.
— With files from The Canadian Press and Associated Press
