Historic performances from Marie-Philip Poulin and Sarah Nurse helped Canada reclaim the gold medal in Olympic women’s hockey.
The Canadians defeated their archrivals the United States 3-2 in Thursday’s final, dethroning the 2018 defending champions. Canada has now won gold in all but two of the women’s hockey Olympic tournaments dating back to the sport’s debut at the Games in 1998.
The win is Canada’s fourth gold medal in Beijing and 19th overall medal.
Poulin led the way with two more goals, further extending her reputation as the most clutch athlete in hockey. In doing so, Poulin became the first hockey player — male or female — to score a goal in four different gold medal games.
Nurse, who had a goal and assist, set a new Olympic record with 18 points in the tournament — breaking a record set by Hall of Famer Hayley Wickenheiser at the 2006 Turin Olympics.
Hilary Knight scored the American’s first goal with a shorthanded marker late in the second period. The U.S. increased the pressure in the third period and Amanda Kessel made it a one-goal game with 13 seconds remaining in regulation but Canadian goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens shut the door to preserve the win.
Desbiens made 38 saves to earn the win. Alex Cavallini made 18 saves for the United States.
Veteran Canadian forward Brianne Jenner was named tournament MVP after leading the way with nine goals.
