Marie-Philip Poulin Leads Canada to Olympic Semifinals
In the quarterfinal round of the women’s hockey tournament at the Milan Cortina Games, Canada triumphed over Germany with a commanding 5-1 victory. Captain Marie-Philip Poulin made headlines by scoring a goal that tied her Olympic career record, marking the 18th goal of her Olympic journey.
Key Highlights from Canada’s Victory
The match took place on February 14, 2026. Poulin’s crucial power-play goal came with just 4:30 remaining in regulation, equaling the record previously set by Hockey Hall of Famer Hayley Wickenheiser.
Performance Overview
- Sarah Fillier contributed significantly with a goal and an assist.
- Other goals were scored by Brianne Jenner, Claire Thompson, and Blayre Turnbull.
- Emerance Maschmeyer excelled in goal, stopping 10 shots.
This victory allowed Canada to advance to the semifinals, where they are set to play the winner of the upcoming quarterfinal showdown between Finland and Switzerland. Canada currently holds an impressive record of 9-0 in international play against Germany, having outscored them 83-1 in previous encounters.
Germany’s Struggle and Historic Moment
Germany, while showing promise with a 3-1 record in Group B, faced difficulties in this match. They managed to score their first goal against Canada in Olympic history through Franziska Feldmeier, who capitalized on a short-handed breakaway in the third period.
The German goaltender, Sandra Abstreiter, made 38 saves but faced challenges throughout the game, particularly on a couple of goals that raised concerns about her performance. This Olympic appearance marked Germany’s fourth overall and their first since 2014.
Poulin’s Return
Poulin returned to the roster after missing over two games due to a right knee injury. Known as “Captain Clutch,” she was carefully eased back into the game, participating in limited shifts and primarily during power plays. Early in the match, she demonstrated her resilience by thwarting a scoring opportunity from Germany’s Laura Kluge.
Canada’s scoring began quickly, with Jenner redirecting Emma Maltais’ pass into the net just 1:40 into the game. Thompson increased the lead to 2-0 before Fillier extended it to 3-0 late in the second period, thanks to a deflection off Abstreiter’s stick.
With this decisive win, Canada showed its dominance in women’s hockey as it aims for another Olympic gold medal at the Milan Cortina Games.
