Canada advances in women’s Olympic hockey as Marie-Philip Poulin makes history in return pwhl
Game summary
Team Canada advanced in the Olympic women’s hockey tournament with a 5-1 quarterfinal victory, overcoming Germany to move on in Milan. The win secured Canada’s place in the next round and preserved a strong showing for the reigning powers of the sport. Canada’s balanced effort produced multiple scoring plays, while the defense limited Germany to a single goal in the matchup.
Poulin’s milestone
Marie-Philip Poulin returned to the lineup and scored in the third period, a goal that tied her with Hockey Hall of Famer Hayley Wickenheiser for the all-time Olympic goal record. Poulin’s marker brought her total to 18 goals in 25 Olympic games, one shy of creating a new standalone record if she scores again in Milan. The goal came late in the game and was noted by Canada head coach Troy Ryan as an important moment for both the player and the team.
Context of the achievement
Poulin, 34, has long been among the sport’s most decorated and influential players. She first gained global attention as an 18-year-old at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics when she scored the game-winning goal against the United States, a feat she repeated in subsequent gold medal games. The recent score extended her history of impact in decisive Olympic moments; she has scored in more Olympic gold medal games than any other player, across four consecutive tournaments.
Injury and return to play
Her return was not assured entering the quarterfinal. Poulin missed the previous two games after suffering a knee tweak in Canada’s 5-1 win over the Czech Republic earlier in the tournament. She was visibly in pain on the bench following the hit and limped to the dressing room after attempting to continue. In the days leading up to the quarterfinal, Poulin described the issue as "a little tweak" and indicated it was improving after practice sessions.
On Saturday she was eased back into action, logging just under 13 minutes of ice time. Even with limited minutes, Poulin made a noticeable contribution early with a full-speed backcheck that halted a high-danger chance in the first period, and later buried her 18th Olympic goal in the final five minutes. "It’s just a nice icing on the cake, " coach Ryan said after the game, expressing the team’s relief and appreciation at her return. He added that there was no one he would rather have back in the lineup than Poulin.
Team dynamics and lineup adjustments
For the quarterfinal, Canada’s top forward group included Poulin alongside Sarah Fillier and Daryl Watts, a configuration Ryan described as a deliberate effort to spread skill across the top six and add depth to the forward corps. The coaching staff said the redistribution of minutes was intended to provide balance and resilience as the tournament progresses.
Outlook
With Poulin back and the team advancing, Canada will head into the semifinal round with both confidence and cautious optimism. The Athletic has live coverage of Canada’s next contest as they prepare to face Switzerland in the semifinals. Poulin’s durability and commitment to training were highlighted by Ryan as factors that enabled her quick return. "She trains like nobody else, " he said, noting that her preparation allows her to rebound from setbacks and still make key contributions.
As Canada looks ahead in the Olympic bracket, Poulin’s tied record will be a subplot to the team’s broader goal of contending for gold. For now, the focus is on recovery, line management and maintaining the cohesion that produced a decisive quarterfinal victory.
