PWHL’s influence apparent at Olympics with OT medal games and the gap closing behind US and Canada

Alina Muller instantly understood the significance her bronze medal-clinching overtime goal in a 2-1 win over Sweden meant not only to girls back home in Switzerland, but in the bigger picture of women’s hockey. “Just a few years ago there would have been a hundred people in the stands, and now it’s crazy to see,” said Muller, the former college star at Northeastern and now in her third season with the Boston Fleet. U.S. captain Hilary Knight is heading home with a gold medal in closing her Olympic career.

By JOHN WAWROW