RECOVERY DAY

After earning a spot in the semifinals with Wednesday's win over Sweden, Team USA earned an off day on Thursday to relax and recover from the three preliminary round games. 

Members of the U.S. squad spent time with their families that made the trip to Japan. Some traveled to Sapporo and took in a new city while others did some local exploring throughout Obihiro. 

Team USA will be back in action on Saturday when it takes on Finland in the semifinals. Puck drop is set for 1 p.m. local time/11 p.m. ET (Jan. 11).

NEW YEAR, SAME STAGE

The 2019 roster features nine players that helped the U.S. earn gold at last year’s IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship in Dmitrov, Russia, including Hannah Bilka (Coppell, Texas), Hadley Hartmetz (Phoenixville, Pa.), Katy Knoll (Amherst, N.Y.),  Abbey Murphy (Evergreen Park, Ill.), Maggie Nicholson (Minnetonka, Minn.), Casey O'Brien (Milton, Mass.), Dominique Petrie (Hermosa Beach, Calif.), Sydney Shearen (Hugo, Minn.) and Makenna
Webster (St. Louis, Mo.). Forward Webster led the team at last year’s tournament with two game-winning goals and nine points.

A two-time world champion having won gold at both the 2017 and 2018 Under-18 Women's World Championship tournaments, Petrie is the lone U.S. player in pursuit of her third straight gold medal. 

TAKE FIVE

Player: Skylar Vetter (Lakeville, Minn.)

Position: Goalie

Favorite movie: A Dog's Purpose

Hidden talent: Juggling

Favorite quote: "Great moments are born from great opportunity." - Herb Brooks

One word that describes playing style: Aggressive