MILAN — Canadian hockey star Marie-Philip Poulin continues to carve her name into the annals of Olympic history, demonstrating once again why she is regarded as one of the greatest women’s hockey players of all time. In a thrilling semifinal matchup against Switzerland on Monday night, Poulin scored not only the game-winning goal but also became the leading goal-scorer in Olympic women’s hockey history, surpassing the iconic Hayley Wickenheiser with her 19th and 20th career goals, leading Canada to a 2-1 victory.
Poulin’s remarkable achievement comes after a series of challenges for Team Canada throughout the tournament. The team faced an early setback when their first game was postponed due to a norovirus outbreak affecting the Finnish squad, followed by Poulin’s own injury that sidelined her for two games, including a heavy 5-0 defeat against the United States — Canada’s worst Olympic loss since 1998.
With the win over Switzerland, Canada is set to face the U.S. in the gold medal game, a rematch that promises to be fiercely contested. The American team has dominated the tournament, scoring an impressive 31 goals while maintaining a streak of over 331 minutes without conceding. Their roster is filled with young talent, including scoring leaders Caroline Harvey, Hannah Bilka, and Abbey Murphy, showcasing their depth and capability.
However, Poulin remains a formidable opponent. She has consistently performed at the highest level during critical moments, being the only player — male or female — to score in four consecutive Olympic gold medal games. At these games, her innate ability to rise to the occasion appears unparalleled; over 12 of her Olympic goals have come in knockout matches, reinforcing her reputation as “Captain Clutch.”
Following a scoreless start in the semifinal, it was Poulin who ignited Team Canada’s offense, netting the first goal that energized her teammates. Head coach Troy Ryan noted her leadership qualities, stating, “We have a bit of a flat start. We have a conversation in between periods. And of course, it’s going to be Poulin that takes the lead in those situations.”
Her second goal came from a spectacular diving effort against Swiss goalie Andrea Brändli, which secured Canada’s victory after they were held scoreless in the third period. This remarkable performance further solidified her legacy, as she tied Wickenheiser and Jayna Hefford for the most games played by a Canadian at the Olympics.
Despite the U.S. team being a dominant force, Canada brings Poulin’s unparalleled ability to the ice, embodying hope and determination for her team. Her fierce competitive spirit and work ethic are acknowledged by her teammates, like goalie Ann-Renée Desbiens, who remarked on Poulin’s willingness to sacrifice herself for the win.
As the hockey world watches, all eyes will be on this resilient Canadian squad as they prepare for the gold medal final, with a palpable sense of anticipation surrounding Poulin’s potential to lead her team to victory once more.