updated 1:18 p.m. ET Feb. 21, 2006

Katie King scored three goals with flair and force, leading the U.S. women’s hockey team to a victory and a medal. The three-time Olympian even finished the game defiantly in the penalty box after flattening a Finn who was picking on a young teammate.

Could there be a better way to end the hockey career of a feisty, high-scoring forward who pioneered the women’s game? King didn’t think so — unless she could change the Americans’ bronze medals into gold.

“I kind of knew in the back of my mind that this is it,” the 30-year-old King said after the U.S. finished the Turin Games with a 4-0 win over Finland. “It’s time to take the next step. You sacrifice a lot to play for this team, living in a dorm and out of a suitcase. You get to the point where you’re not quite willing to make the sacrifices any more.”

King has the complete set of medals: gold from Nagano, silver from Salt Lake City and bronze from Turin, where the Americans were the losers in the biggest upset in women’s hockey history. Sweden’s 3-2 shootout victory in the semifinals changed a sport that seemed impenetrable for non-North American teams just 10 days earlier.

If King walks away, she’ll probably be joined by fellow three-time Olympian Tricia Dunn-Luoma. Forwards Kathleen Kauth and Kim Insalaco and defenseman Courtney Kennedy also said they’ll probably move on, while defenseman Angela Ruggiero and forward Jenny Potter are among the veterans who plan to stay on skates.

But the biggest void might be behind the American bench: Coach Ben Smith also seems ready to abdicate this summer when his contract with USA Hockey expires.

Though he remains passionate about developing young players and establishing the game worldwide, Smith certainly sounds interested in moving to an advisory capacity after 10 years in charge.

“I don’t know quite what my role will be with USA Hockey in the future,” he said after the game. “I hope to continue in some form, but I think we need more women in our leadership positions. I hope that day is coming, and I hope it comes soon.”

Smith’s third Olympics will be remembered for the historic loss, but also for his decision to cut longtime captain Cammi Granato last year. The younger, leaner U.S. team still seemed to be the world’s second-best behind Canada during its pre-Olympic tour, but Sweden prevented a third straight showdown between the North American powers.

“I’m kind of sorry we spoiled the dance,” Smith said.

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Still, Smith’s decision to give early Olympic experience to a bunch of young Americans should pay off for years.

Teenage forward Sarah Parsons became a star in Turin, finishing third on the team in scoring with four goals and three assists. Defenseman Helen Resor, who’s just 20, tied Potter for the team lead with a plus-10 rating, while forward Kelly Stephens got her first two Olympic goals.

The players who may have finished playing in Italy have new challenges in store.

King and Kennedy already have thriving coaching careers, while Kauth and Insalaco are worn out from years spent laboring just to make the team as depth forwards. Dunn-Luoma, the U.S. team’s oldest player at 31, said she might want to start a family.

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Kauth, who’s one paper shy of earning a masters degree in public health from Brown, hasn’t decided whether she’ll try to make the U.S. team for the 2007 World Championships in Winnipeg. She knows she already had her greatest moment on ice in Turin — and just wishes it could have been a bit better.

“We still have a lot left in us,” Kauth said. “We wish we had another couple of games. We wish we could get that last chance to show we’re the best.”

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