MILAN — USA women’s rising hockey star Abbey Murphy has a target on her back — and she has no problem fighting back.
Murphy was once again in the middle of the action, drawing and taking penalties as the U.S. women’s hockey team cruised to a 6-0 win over host Italy to advance to its seventh straight Olympic semifinals.
“When you represent your country, you hold yourself to a high standard,” Murphy said. “So anyone in front of the net that gets crosschecked, I’m not just going to watch that happen. It’s not me. I’m not just going to let it go.”
The main fireworks occurred late in the second period, after Hannah Bilka fell on Italy goalie Gabriella Durante following the sixth goal, leading to a scrum in front of the net. Murphy rushed on the scene, and even appeared to throw some punches at Franziska Stocker.
What followed was mayhem: USA coach John Wroblewski got into a jawing match with the Italian coaches. Stocker was called for cross checking, and Murphy was called for roughing.
The 23-year-old Minnesota star was smiling as she went to the penalty box.
Teammate Tessa Janecke said when she saw Murphy getting into a scrum she thought: “She’s probably going to come out with a penalty, but she’s doing it for the right reasons. She’s just off defending her teammates.”
When Murphy left for Milan, she led the NCAA in goals (36 in 26 games) as well as penalties (23).
“Our coach said, find that fine line,” Murphy said. “Don’t get in trouble. Don’t do anything stupid that’s going to keep you out the next game or whatsoever. But yeah, you know me.”
The Italy quarterfinal game, which had boisterous Italian and American support in the crowd, became chippy.
“It wasn’t really hockey at points,” Janecke said. “It can be frustrating. But if that’s what they’re going to do to win, that’s what they’re going to do. You have to play through it and be smart.”
Murphy drew four penalties in Team USA’s final group stage game against Canada. U.S. men’s hockey GM Bill Guerin was in attendance, and afterward said he called his wife to report: “I have a new favorite player, and her name is Abbey Murphy.”
The Americans have dominated in Milan, outscoring opponents 26-1 with at least five goals in every game.
As the U.S. awaits its semifinal opponent, the team brings a 271:23 shutout streak shared between two goalies, Aerin Frankel and Gwyneth Philips.
USA outshot Italy 51-6, including 20-2 in the first period alone.
Italy, meanwhile, finished its Olympics with two wins in five games — showing a big improvement as a program after going 0-5 in their only other Olympic appearance in 2006.
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