Hayley Wickenheiser: A Legacy of Excellence and Inspiration in Women’s Hockey
MILAN – Canada advanced to the Olympic women’s hockey semifinals with captain Marie-Philip Poulin’s triumphant return to the lineup, and a moment that echoed the legacy of a true icon: Hayley Wickenheiser. The Canadians overcame a sluggish start to secure a 5-1 victory over Germany in Saturday’s quarterfinal at Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena.
Poulin, sidelined for two games due to a knee injury, etched her name in Olympic history by scoring her 18th career Olympic goal, tying the record previously held by the legendary Hayley Wickenheiser. “I never think about that,” Poulin humbly stated. “You want to win every Olympics. I was lucky enough in my career to play with some pretty amazing players, so pretty thankful for them.”
Poulin’s Return and Historic Goal
Poulin’s pivotal goal came in the third period, a masterful redirection of a Sarah Fillier pass that found the back of the German net. Canadian defender Claire Thompson reflected on the significance of the moment, saying, “I remember watching her in the 2010 Olympics and then all the way up. It’s really special to be able to share the ice with her. She’s a huge role model for me when I was growing up and still is to this day, the way she carries herself both on and off the ice.”
The team deeply felt Poulin’s absence during her injury. “Missed her a lot,” Thompson admitted. “She’s a huge presence both on the ice and in the locker room. We’re just really happy that she was able to be back with us here tonight.”
A Test of Resilience
Poulin’s knee was immediately tested upon her return, as she aggressively pursued Laura Kluge on a short-handed breakaway. “The first couple of shifts for sure, you want to get your legs under and not overthink things, but happy to how it felt and looking forward to get better day in and day out,” Poulin explained.
Team Effort and Dominant Performance
Thompson, Fillier, Brianne Jenner, and Blayre Turnbull also contributed to Canada’s offensive surge. Goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer delivered a solid performance, stopping 10 shots for her second win of the tournament. Germany managed to score their first-ever goal against Canada, a short-handed effort by Franziska Feldmeier.
Looking Ahead to the Semifinals
Canada finished second in Group A with a 3-0-0-1 record, trailing the undefeated United States. Germany (2-1-0-1) secured second place in Group B, behind undefeated Sweden. The United States and Sweden also advanced to the semifinals after quarterfinal victories over Italy and Czechia, respectively. Finland and Switzerland met in a later Saturday quarterfinal to determine the final semifinal matchups.
Areas for Improvement
Despite the win, Canadian head coach Troy Ryan emphasized the need for improved puck management. “Puck management. Just because you have time to make a play doesn’t mean you’ve always got to use it,” Ryan stated. “You’ve got to get into the habit of making quick plays, quick decisions so you’re not playing to your opponent a little bit.”
A Game of Opportunities and Mistakes
Two of Canada’s goals resulted from misplays by German goaltender Sandra Abstreiter. Thompson’s shot from the blue line slipped through her pads, and Fillier’s shot deflected off her stick for a power-play goal. The German team is coached by Jeff MacLeod of Halifax, and features Nina Jobst-Smith of Surrey, B.C., who plays for the Vancouver Goldeneyes.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 14, 2026. Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press ©2026 BellMedia All Rights Reserved
The enduring legacy of Hayley Wickenheiser continues to inspire generations of hockey players, and Marie-Philip Poulin’s achievement is a testament to the strength and skill within the Canadian women’s hockey program.
