MALMO, Sweden – Marie-Philip Poulin has been named captain of the Canadian women’s hockey team for the world championship starting Saturday.
The 23-year-old from Beauceville, Que., scored the equalizer with less than a minute remaining and the overtime winner for Canada in last year’s Olympic gold-medal game against the United States.
Poulin was just 19 when she scored both of Canada’s goals in a 2-0 win over the Americans in the 2010 Olympic final. She was captain of the Boston University Terriers in her senior year this past season.
Canada opens the 2015 world championship against the defending champion U.S. on Saturday in Malmo, Sweden. The Canadians meet Russia on Sunday.
Head coach Doug Derraugh of Arnprior, Ont., chose Brianne Jenner of Oakville, Ont., Rebecca Johnston of Sudbury, Ont., Toronto’s Natalie Spooner and Lauriane Rougeau of Beaconsfield, Que., as Poulin’s alternate captains.
Spooner scored twice for Canada in their final pre-tournament game Thursday in Lund, Sweden,. The women defeated Skanes, a local team of 16-year-old males, by a score of 2-1. Jessica Campbell of Melville, Sask., and Montreal’s Caroline Ouellette each had an assist.
The women were outshot 42-29, but Genevieve Lacasse of Kingston, Ont., and Emerance Maschmeyer of Bruderheim, Alta., combined for the win in net
Canada has won 10 of the 15 women’s world championships, but the Americans have won five of the last seven.
