The all-rookie fourth line kick-started the offence, Jenn Gardiner’s first-ever Olympic goal stood up as the winner and Emily Clark lit the lamp twice, pacing Canada to a 5-0 victory over Finland.
And very big news, on top of a big win to close out preliminary play: Captain Marie-Philip Poulin skated on Thursday — though not during the game.
The 34-year-old captain returned to the ice for her first skate since she was injured four days ago, and later Thursday she watched as her teammates secured the No. 2 spot in their pool with a big bounce-back effort against the Finns, booking Canada a quarterfinal matchup against Germany.
It was an encouraging sign from the defending Olympic champions, two days after they were badly out-played by the rival Americans in historic worst-ever fashion, a 5-0 drubbing that is Team USA’s largest margin of victory against Canada on this biggest stage.
Against Finland, Canada played far less along the perimeter and saw a full team effort offensively, with goals from Olympic first-timers Gardiner and Kristin O’Neill, a highlight-reel beauty from Daryl Watts, and a classic wrap-around from Clark, her first of two in the third period.
Here are our takeaways from this round-robin Olympic finale, where Canada got its mojo back.
Rookie line shines
Canada’s fourth line of Julia Gosling, O’Neill and Gardiner kick-started the scoring on Thursday, and the trio of Olympic rookies not only provided two big goals, they were also the team’s top line for much of the game.
Gosling, O’Neill and Gardiner were hard to play against all over the ice, and clocked lots of time in the offensive zone. Both of their goals were full-line efforts, too.
The first saw O’Neill delay in Finland’s zone before she found Gosling charging toward the net. Gosling had two Finns right on her when she sent a backhand pass to Gardiner, who made no mistake, rifling a wrister top corner, blocker side.
Gardiner’s first-ever Olympic goal came with 4:48 to go in the first period to make it 1-0, Canada.
The all-rookie line then made it 3-0 when O’Neill got her second of the Games in the second period, sending a low shot through traffic provided by Gosling and Gardiner, who were screening Finnish goalie Sanni Ahola.
Gardiner saw little more than six minutes of ice time against Team USA, but you have to figure both she and her line will be seeing more action going forward. Gardiner, the 24-year-old from B.C., made her senior team debut last year at world championships, where she led all players with six goals in seven games. Her 10 points there were also second in tournament scoring, behind Poulin.
Keep up with Olympic women's hockey
Canada is going for a second Olympic gold in a row in women's hockey. Follow along on Sportsnet.ca
Scoreboard, standings
Watt a finish
Watts scored the most beautiful goal we’ve seen from a Canadian at these Games so far to make it 2-0 Canada, about halfway through the second period.
From behind Finland’s net, Sarah Fillier found Watts in front with a backhand pass, and right in close, Watts labelled that puck for the top corner, short side — an absolutely filthy finish.
It’s Watts’s second goal of these Games, and the fourth point for the Sceptres star who ranks third overall in PWHL scoring.
Poulin skated!
The biggest news for Canada came before the game even started: Poulin skated before Thursday’s game, along with medical staff and coaches, according to CBC’s Claire Hanna, who’s on-site.
Canada’s head coach Tory Ryan also told Hanna that Poulin felt “well” afterwards, that a couple of extra days would help, and he expects her to be back on the ice during the Olympics.
Phew.
This is massive for a team that against Team USA looked listless without No. 29, who’s the author of game-winners in three Olympic gold-medal games. Canada needs Poulin on the ice if and when they meet their rivals again to play for gold in Milano.
Tres bien Desbiens
Team Canada goalie Ann-Renee Desbiens was solid in her third start in four days, and it was the game she no doubt needed after that tough loss to Team USA.
The Finns were pressing early in the second period when they trailed 1-0, and Desbiens had to come up big, first shutting down Emma Nuutinen on a breakaway, and later with a huge blocker save on Noora Tulus.
Desbiens made 17 saves to earn the shutout against the Finns, who are back-to-back Olympic bronze medallists.
Next up for Canada is the quarterfinal against Germany, set for Saturday at 10:40 am ET.
