Winter Olympics 2018: Lakewood's Nicole Hensley: Goaltender

LAKEWOOD, CO — The U.S. Women's Hockey Team begins their quest for Olympic gold at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

After winning the gold medal in 1998, U.S. Women's Hockey Team has lost the gold medal game to Canada in 2002, 2010 and 2014. The U.S. women earned a bronze medal in 2006.

Lakewood native Nicole Hensley is TeamUSA's goaltender. With tension over the Russian women's team, a mini-controversy reportedly broke out Tuesday about the images of the Statue of Liberty on Hensley's goalie mask. The IOS and the Russian team allegedly considered the images to be a political statement, the Denver Post said. The "uproar" was later characterized as a "misunderstanding," by team officials on both sides.

“We’re all good,” Hensley said. “I’m really not sure what happened. I’m just focused on playing the games. Our equipment guys take care of the equipment, and we take care of what’s going on on the ice.”
As for the Statue of Liberty, “I think it’s just a great representation of our country,” Hensley said. “Like I said, we’re just focused on a win tonight. We’re moving on from there.”

Lakewood Mayor Adam Paul posted a letter on Facebook from Vice President Michael Pence congratulating Hensley.

"On behalf of the American people, I want you to know how proud we are of your community for representing America on the world stage. Please know that I will be rooting for Nicole and rallying behind Team U.S.A. as they compete in the XXIII Olympic Winter Games in #PyeongChang2018." Good luck against Russia, Nicole!" Pence wrote.

Hensley was born in Littleton and attended Rooney Ranch Elementary, Dustan Middle School and Green Mountain High School. She attended college at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri, where she played on the hockey team.

USA vs. Canada
Thu. Feb. 15, 9:10 p.m.
Women Preliminary Round - Group A

Games will be televised by NBC (or ... NBC will not televise the event on its broadcast stations but you can see it live over the web.) Here’s where to find the full schedule.

We’ll post the results here as soon as they become available.

Here’s where to find the daily Olympics schedule of when athletes from Colorado compete, and here’s where to find results.

Image: Getty Images Olympics, Day 4