During an intense Olympic semifinal where the USA led 5-0, Swedish goalie Emma Söderberg was injured after a head tackle by Abbey Murphy. This incident sparked outrage among hockey experts, with SVT's Maria Rooth criticizing Murphy for her frequent reckless play, suggesting that such behavior diminishes the sport of hockey. The officiating team only issued a two-minute penalty for Murphy, which further fueled the debate among commentators about the adequacy of penalties in curbing dangerous plays.

In the aftermath of the tackle, reactions from the SVT studio indicated a divided perception of the incident. Expert Anna Kjellbin suggested that Jessica Adolfsson, who retaliated against Murphy, should have hit harder, implying that Murphy often exaggerates contact to gain advantages during games. This sentiment reflects a growing frustration among analysts regarding the perceived tendency of some players to embellish fouls to influence officiating, which they believe undermines the integrity of the game.

The incident raises significant questions about player safety and the effectiveness of current penalization practices in hockey. With experts urging stricter penalties for dangerous plays, this situation emphasizes the ongoing need for a reevaluation of rules and enforcement, particularly regarding hits to the head, which can lead to serious injuries and long-term consequences for athletes.