Poulin, Canada defeat USA to reclaim gold medal

BEIJING — Led by their clutch captain, Canada brought back that golden feeling in Olympic women's hockey.

Marie-Philip Poulin's two goals spurred Canada to a 3-2 win over archrival United States in Thursday's final in Beijing.

The 30-year-old from Beauceville, Que., has scored in four consecutive Olympic finals for Canada with a total of seven goals in those games.

Poulin also scored the game-winner in Canada's last three wins in Olympic finals.

"She's not just a superstar with the puck, she's a superstar without the puck, and just a great leader for us," said her Canadian linemate Brianne Jenner.

"We're happy to follow Pou wherever she's going to take us.

“Canada is a hockey nation and hopefully we’ve given everyone a reason to celebrate back home."

The Canadians reclaimed gold after losing 3-2 in a shootout to the Americans four years ago in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

For the 13 returning veterans who felt that hockey heartbreak, the buzzer sounding at Wukesong Sports Centre after a furious final two minutes of hockey was redemptive.

"Losing in 2018 was an awful feeling and we wanted to regain that podium and win that gold medal," forward Rebecca Johnston said. "Just a lot of emotions."

The gold was Canada's fifth after a run of four straight from 2002 to 2014.

The U.S. took the inaugural gold in 1998 when women's hockey made its Olympic debut.

Canadian starter Ann-Renée Desbiens made 38 saves for the win Thursday.

She withstood a flurry of activity around her crease in the final minutes when Poulin served a hooking penalty and American goalie Alex Cavallini was pulled for an extra attacker.

Amanda Kessel scored a power-play goal with 12 seconds remaining in regulation, which freed Poulin from the penalty box to win the