Heart, work and desperation: What an underdog Canadian team needs to do to win Olympic gold

The Canadians came into the Olympic tournament billed as underdogs.

They'd lost six straight games to the Americans dating back to last year's world championship, including a Rivalry Series sweep that didn't feel particularly close.

It hasn't been a perfect Olympic tournament for Canada. At times, this team has looked disjointed and nervous — especially in a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of the Americans in the preliminary round.

But none of that will be remembered if they win Thursday's winner-takes-all gold-medal match-up against the Americans, the latest chapter in one of the best rivalries in all of sport.

"It’s going to be all about the heart, all about the work, all about the desperation," captain Marie-Philip Poulin said after a 2-1 semifinal win over Switzerland that felt closer than it should have been.

"I think that’s something this group will be committed to do. It’s been up and down all tournament. But again, it’s one game and people will come ready."

They were underdogs in 2002, too, against an American team that came in as the favourite. The Canadians won when it mattered, though.

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That gold medal ignited the dream for a young Poulin, who's now looking to earn her fourth Olympic gold medal.

Meanwhile, it's the last game on the Olympic stage for American captain Hilary Knight, who is hungry to end her Olympic career with one more gold medal.

The Olympic final is set for 1:10 p.m. on Thursday. You can watch all the action on CBC and CBC Gem.

Things have looked shaky at times for the Canadians during the preliminary round. Meanwhile, the Americans have steamrolled, only allowing one goal over six games.

"Believe it or