Canada Medals: Women’s Hockey Team Advances to Gold Medal Game
It was a close call, at least on the scoreboard, as Canada’s women’s hockey team averted disaster Monday, winning their Olympic semi-final 2-1 over Switzerland to advance to the gold-medal game. The victory secures Team Canada at least a silver medal, but their sights are firmly set on gold.
“I’m sure people were on the edge of their seats,” defender Renata Fast said after the game, which was a narrower score than the Canadians had expected. Switzerland, despite being heavily outshot, collapsed into a defensive shell, making it a challenging match for Canada.
Poulin’s Historic Performance
Marie-Philip Poulin, playing near the blueline, scored the opening goal in the second period, putting Canada up 1-0. This historic marker gave Poulin 19 career Olympic goals, surpassing former teammate Hayley Wickenheiser. She added another goal seven minutes later, extending Canada’s lead to 2-0.
Poulin’s two-goal performance was a welcome sight, especially considering she recently injured her right knee early in the tournament. Known as “Captain Clutch,” Poulin consistently delivers when her country needs her most.
A Scare from Switzerland
Switzerland put a scare into the Canadian bench in the third period when Alina Müller forced a turnover, leading to a goal by Rahel Enzler, cutting the lead to 2-1. A loss to Switzerland would have been a major upset, considering Canada’s perfect 22-0 record against them in international play.
“All tournament long you saw Switzerland, playing a really structured game…and that same thing happened here tonight,” Fast said. “You ought to give them a lot of respect… They made it difficult on us.”
Looking Ahead to the Gold Medal Game
Canada outshot Switzerland 46-8, but the Swiss kept the game close. The win sets up a highly anticipated showdown against the United States in the gold medal game. Canada and the U.S. have faced off six times in the Olympic final, with the U.S. winning in 1998 and 2018.
“I think we’re going to enjoy every single moment and we’re going to go for gold,” said forward Laura Stacey. “When you’re a little kid playing road hockey…that’s what you dream about.”
Concerns and Preparations
Despite the win, Canada’s head coach, Troy Ryan, noted the team came out slowly and needs to be more aggressive. He emphasized the importance of limiting mistakes, particularly in their own end, as they prepare to face a strong American team. The Americans defeated Canada 5-0 in the preliminary round.
The team is focused on tightening up their game and playing structurally sound hockey to counter the U.S. attack. The gold medal game promises to be a thrilling contest between two hockey powerhouses. You can find more information about the Winter Games at The Globe and Mail.
