‘This is redemption’: Canada beat USA to women’s ice hockey gold

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-RenéeDesbiens, who finished with 38 saves.

“This is redemption,” said Poulin, whose double marked her sixth and seventh goals in four career Olympic gold medal games. “It’s just so good. It’s a great feeling. It was one hell of an effort.”

Canada got off to a flying start, firing six of the first seven shots on goal until appearing to draw first blood after eight minutes when Natalie Spooner found the back of the net after a failed zone clearance. The goal was disallowed for offsides on a USA replay challenge, but Canada took control with a goal that stuck through Sarah Nurse 5 seconds after play resumed.

Poulin doubled the advantage before the period was out, capitalising on a gruesome USA turnover in their defensive zone. While the stat sheet at the first intermission suggested an evenly matched affair beyond the score, the well-drilled Canadian defense were limiting their opponents to mostly speculative shots on target while peppering away from closer range on Alex Cavallini, who finished with 18 saves.

The gold medal was all but in hand after Poulin struck again midway through the second period with an assist