Canada vs. USA - Gold Medal Game

(Canada's "Captain Clutch" Marie-Phillip Poulin has scored 2 golden goals coming into this game)

Though Canada and USA were favourites for the gold medal game from the start, nothing is ever guaranteed in a tournament such as this. Canada won the last meeting between these teams last week, but they were generally outplayed by the Americans and were bailed out by the excellent Ann-Renee Desbiens. These two teams are so evenly matched that goaltending will likely be the difference maker for the gold medal. This is one of the best rivalries in all of hockey, and it is a treat to watch them compete.

Canada is looking for revenge in this game as the USA won the gold medal in the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang. Canada has had a record-breaking offensive game this tournament which they hope to carry into this final matchup. The Americans are a bit more well-rounded, but the Canadians’ offence has proven to be overwhelming for every team they have played against so far in the tournament.

1st Period:

Both teams played very quickly to start the game with lots of pressure and chances on both sides. Canada scored the first goal of the game, but there was an offside review that revealed the Canadians were offside immediately before scoring the goal, so it was disallowed. However, it only took 90 seconds for Canada to score another one, and this one counted. Sarah Nurse continued her incredible tournament so far with the first goal of the game to make it 1-0 for Canada.

The pressure went back and forth again until Canada’s captain Marie-Phillip Poulin extended the lead to 2. Her nickname is “Captain Clutch” as she is known for playing her best when the stage is biggest, and she already has a goal and an assist in just the first period alone. She has scored at least one goal in every single gold medal game she has played in (World Championships and Olympics).

2nd Period:

Both teams kept up their speed to start the second, though Canada had a few more high-danger scoring chances including a near-miss on a breakaway. 21-year-old Sarah Fillier led Canada on a 2-on-1 along with Natalie Spooner, but Spooner was turned away by American goalie Alex Cavallini. Canada continued to pour on the pressure with Sarah Nurse taking a shot that led to a huge rebound. Who else but Marie-Phillip Poulin found the rebound and buried it for her second goal of the game to make it 3-0 Canada.

The score doesn’t do justice to how good USA is playing, as Abby Roque nearly scored only 30 seconds after Canada extended their lead on a wraparound attempt. Shortly after, the Americans earned their first powerplay of the game as Canada’s Jocelyne Larocque got a holding penalty. Canada’s penalty kill has been one of their strengths so far this tournament and that showed as the Americans had very few chances on their powerplay. Canada went back to the powerplay when Megan Keller of the US took a holding penalty. The American Hillary Knight broke Canada’s shutout with an incredible shorthanded goal to reduce the lead to 2.

3rd Period:

Both teams were locked in defensively to start the final 20 minutes of regulation time, as there were few controlled chances for either team. The Americans began to put on some good pressure with Alex Carpenter’s shot hitting the post before Abby Roque was robbed by Canadian goalie Desbiens. The Americans were having no trouble getting shots on net, but Ann-Renee Desbiens was a major issue for them, making save after save.

Canada’s Jocelyne Larocque received another penalty when she hooked the American player giving the US another powerplay. Canada’s penalty kill remained solid, and the USA was unable to score. The Americans pulled their goalie with a little over 3 minutes left to go in the 3rd period and their offensive pressure continued to increase. Marie-Phillip Poulin received a 2-minute tripping penalty with a minute and a half left in the game to give the Americans a 6-on-4 advantage for the final moments of the game. Desbiens and Turnbull both lost their sticks and the play scrambled all over the place until Amanda Kessel was able to score a goal for USA with 12.5 seconds left in the game. Unfortunately for the Americans, it was too little too late as Canada wins the gold medal!

(American Hilary Knight did everything she could to defeat Canada, but it was not enough)

3 Stars:

3rd Star: Sarah Nurse (1 goal, 1 assist)

2nd Star: Anne-Renee Desbiens (38 saves)

1st Star: Marie-Phillip Poulin (2 goals, 1 assist)

(Canada's Ann-Renee Desbiens was excellent in net for Canada all tournament long)

Tournament Recap:

Marie-Phillip Poulin is now firmly in the conversation of the greatest Female Canadian Hockey player of all time. She scored her third career gold medal winning goal in this game, giving her 17 total points in only 7 games in the tournament.

Sarah Nurse came into the tournament on the 4th forward line for Canada and leaves the games with more points in a single Olympics tournament than any woman has ever scored. She had 18 points in just 7 games to break the record set by the legendary Hayley Wickenheiser

Sarah Fillier is the future of Canadian women’s hockey, scoring 11 points in 7 games at her very first Olympics. The 21-year-old is incredibly talented and clearly has a long career ahead of her, and hopefully many more gold medals for Canada.

Canada was a dominant force throughout this whole tournament and was well deserving of the gold medal. Congratulations to these women who were consistently entertaining and inspiring all Olympics long.