Olympics: Team Canada takes gold in women's hockey

The GIST: While Canada’s men’s hockey team was eliminated yesterday,the women are 2022 Olympic gold medalists. So nice, we had to write it twice.

The game: Coming in hot, Canada was up 3–0 by the beginning of the second period, thanks to Sarah Nurse (the new Olympic single-tournament all-time points leader) and a pair of back-to-back goals from captain clutch, Marie-Philip Poulin — the first hockey player (male or female) to score in four Olympic gold medal games. Because of course.

• The U.S. scored their first goal in the second, but didn’t pose a strong threat until the dying minutes of the third period, where a power play goal closed the gap to one with 12.5 seconds remaining.

• Canadian goalie Ann-Renée très Desbiens stayed strong, and Canada reclaimed the gold with the 3–2 victory. Ice cold revenge = served.

How Canada got here: This retribution has been four years in the making. Following a heartbreakingshootout loss to Team USA at the PyeongChang Games, this team added 10 first-time Olympians, creating a stacked combination of young talent and veteran leadership — perhaps the best team Canada has ever had.

What’s next: Now that Canada’s reclaimed their rightful spot atop the Olympic podium, we’re already counting down the days until August’s Women’s Ice Hockey World Championships.

• And, in the meantime, mark your cal for the PWHPA’s next showcase, coming to Ottawa at the end of February. What better homecoming for our champs.