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Team USA Hockey’s Brianna Decker provides injury update

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Brianna Decker had to be stretchered off the ice Thursday. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

Team USA hockey forward Brianna Decker provided an update on Saturday, thanking “everyone who has reached out to me over the last few days.”

“I appreciate all the words of encouragement and support – I truly do,” she wrote.

Decker is out of the Olympic hockey tournament after suffering a leg injury in the first period of the first game. She had to be stretchered off the ice in the game against Finland. Later, the assistant captain was seen standing on crutches with a walking boot on her left leg as she watched the U.S. defeat Finland 5-2.

A high-scoring forward, she has 170 pints in 146 games for the national team, including nine in the last 10 games.

“I would like everyone to know that I am in good hands and have a incredible staff that is taking great care of me,” she continued. “Being surrounded by my sisters is exactly where I want and need to be and know that the road to recovery has already begun due to their friendship and the significant love we share as a team.”

While the loss of Decker is certainly significant, others have stepped up in her absence. Team USA dominated the Russian Olympic Committee 5-0 on Saturday, with five different players scoring in the win. Grace Zumwinkle notched her first Olympic goal in the effort.

Decker still plans to provide support off the ice, as she revealed that she will remain in Beijing.

“I am excited to remain here with the team and help any imaginable way to help to accomplish the original goal that we have set out to achieve!”

Team USA beat Switzerland 8-0 on Sunday, led by a pair of goals from Hilary Knight. Up next is a rematch of last Olympics’ gold medal game against rivals Canada on Monday.