U.S. cries tears of joy, for what could have been

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Before the game she talked to Boston College coach Tom Mutch, who told her to get a hat trick in her last game. Just 1:44 into the second period, she had it on a pass from Chu.

“This isn’t an easy thing to do. You sacrifice a lot to play on this team, and you’re away from family and friends,” King said. “I’m ready to settle down.”

King went out on top and on her own terms. For some players, though, there was more uncertainty.

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Coach Ben Smith talked all through the games about how the team needs younger talent to continue to help grow a sport that barely survives on the fringes outside the United States and Canada. His decision to cut Cammi Granato, who had been on every U.S. team since 1990, was widely criticized and there was a school of thought that the loss of her veteran leadership may have played a part in the loss to Sweden.

Players didn’t feel much like talking about that after the game. They didn’t mind, though, talking about the conflicting emotions of finishing the Olympics with a win but without the medal they came for.

In a hallway outside the U.S. locker room, Insalaco couldn’t stop the tears from flowing as she tried to make the best of things.

Her last game didn’t end with a gold medal, but it did end in a win. A bronze, she said, was better than nothing.

King’s tears had dried up, and she was ready to start a new life.

She won a gold in Nagano and a silver in Salt Lake City. The bronze would finish a collection, and a career.

“Maybe I’ll try to find a nice display case to show them off,” King said.

“I’m proud of them all.”

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