The Canadians put up a tough and tough fight, but saw their title slip through their hands Sunday night in the final of the Women’s Worlds. They had to admit defeat by the score of 6-3 in front of their great American rivals.
The refrain is well known: the best players make the difference in the big moments. Marie-Philip Poulin is the perfect example. Still on Sunday, she was in all the battles in the Canadian clan; she scored a goal and an assist. But her American rival Hilary Knight found a way to do even more with a hat trick.
“It’s not the result we wanted, not at all, especially at home, said the Quebecer at the microphone of TSN. It’s hard to swallow, but I don’t think it defines us as a band. There is a lot of character in this group and we will return to work. »
It all happened in the last five minutes of the game. The 3-3 tie persisted for ten minutes when Brianne Jenner was sent off for tripping. A little over a minute later, Claire Thompson sent the puck into the stands in the defensive zone.
The Americans thus received a double power play on a silver platter… and they did not miss this golden chance to finally seize the title, which has belonged to the Canadians since 2021.
PHOTO DAN HAMILTON, USA TODAY SPORTS VIA REUTERS CON
The Americans celebrate the victory.
Knight, who had already scored once in the game, scored with a shot from the point, his 100e career point in the World Championship. The number 21 scored her third goal just 27 seconds later, deflecting a shot from her young teammate, sensation Caroline Harvey.
This same Harvey has also proven to be the most prolific player of the tournament. At just 20 years old, the defender finished the tournament at the top of the scorers with an impressive tally of 4 goals and 10 assists in seven games. In the final, she was the most used player on her team with more than 23 minutes (!) of playing time.
The Jenner-Poulin duo
If the identity of the two teams in the final of the Women’s World Cup was in no way a surprise, the result remained unpredictable… like every time these two teams meet. And once again, fans have been served.
Before the Americans took the lead late in the third period, the Canadians had never trailed in the game. Marie-Philip Poulin scored the game’s first one-timer on the power play, then Abbey Murphy tied the game at 1-1.
In the second period, Brianne Jenner scored her first shot from the top of the slot. Again, the Americans equalized; it was there that Knight scored his first of the game. A minute later, Jenner restored Canada’s lead. Caroline Harvey made it 3-3 early in the third period.
Poulin, who has experienced both the euphoria of gold and the agony of silver over the past 14 years, looked crestfallen as he picked up the finalists’ trophy after the game.
PHOTO FRANK GUNN, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Marie-Philip Poulin (29)
“When you get that silver medal…it’s something that stays with you,” Poulin told TSN. Every time you practice, when you hit the rink, you remember that. That moment was hard, but it will be a motivation for all of us. »
The Canadians led 27 pucks in the loss, compared to 22 for the Americans. The Maple Leaf representatives fought to the finish as a loud and involved crowd watched in Brampton.
“I’ll watch the game again, but I’m pretty proud of the way they played,” said Canadian head coach Troy Ryan. We have a group of players who have been very resilient throughout the year. They find ways to stay in those games. Obviously we’re very disappointed, but we’re happy with our process and I’m proud of the girls’ effort tonight. »
It was the 21e times in 22 editions of the Women’s Worlds that Canada and the United States have met in the final. This victory was the 9e of the American clan.