US hockey team rallies to beat Czechs 4-1

Defending women’s hockey champions the United States rallied to defeat the Czech Republic 4-1 in the quarterfinals of the Beijing Olympics on Friday.

The Americans survived what would have been a major upset in a game where their offence continued to struggle.

The US, whose only losses in six previous Olympics have been against Canada (six times) and Sweden (once), managed just four goals on 59 shots.

Hilary Knight had a goal and assist, and Savannah Harmon and Kendall Coyne Schofield also scored for the Americans. Alex Cavallini stopped five shots.

Czech goalie Klara Peslarova was the star of the game, stopping 55 shots, including the first 22 she faced. (AP)