The imperious Canada women’s team completed a buzzsaw run through the Olympic tournament with a comprehensive victory over their defining foes, seeing off the United States in Thursday’s gold medal game by a 3-2 scoreline that flattered to deceive.
The latest instalment in one of world sport’s most hotly contested rivalries was largely one-way traffic for the half-hour the outcome truly hung in the balance. Marie-Philip Poulin, known as “Captain Clutch”, scored twice as the defending world champions opened a three-goal lead behind an aggressive forechecking attack and a standout effort by in-form goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens, who finished with 38 saves.
