Canada Beats U.S. 2-0 for Women’s Olympic Hockey Gold (Update2)
By Michael Buteau
Feb. 25 (Bloomberg) -- Canada won its third straight gold medal in women’s hockey, defeating the U.S. 2-0 at the Vancouver Winter Olympics.
Marie-Philip Poulin scored two first-period goals to lead Canada, which has won the Olympic title four times. The U.S.’s only win over Canada in their three Olympic final meetings came in 1998 in Nagano, Japan.
“It was an awesome team effort,” Poulin, 18, told reporters after the game. “I have no words to describe it. I can’t believe it. It just hit me right now.”
Goalie Shannon Szabados turned aside 28 U.S. shots to earn her second shutout of the competition for Canada. Jessie Vetter had 27 saves for the Americans.
“It’s hard,” U.S. forward Julie Chu told reporters. “You win a silver medal but lose the game in the same day. It’s bitter sweet.”
Poulin, who finished the tournament with five goals and two assists in five games, was one of three Canadian players named to the tournament’s All-Star team. Three U.S. players were also named to the six-player squad.
Canadian forward Meghan Agosta was named most valuable player after leading all players with 15 points, including a tournament-best nine goals.
The Canadians outscored their opponents 48-2 in the Games, while the U.S. had a 40-4 margin.
Finland won bronze by beating Sweden 3-2 earlier today.
To contact the reporter on this story: Michael Buteau in Vancouver, at mbuteau@bloomberg.net.
Last Updated: February 25, 2010 21:53 EST |
