Records for Poulin, Desbiens as Canada downs Finland 8-1 in world hockey semifinal
Canadian captain Marie-Philip Poulin and goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens made history in the women’s world hockey championship semifinal against Finland, setting new records and rewriting the history books ahead of the final showdown against the United States.
Poulin’s first-period goal in the 8-1 victory over Finland marked her 87th career point in the tournament, surpassing the legendary Hayley Wickenheiser as the all-time leading scorer for Canada. The 34-year-old from Beauceville, Que., later added an assist for her 88th point, solidifying her place as a Canadian hockey icon.
Desbiens, on the other hand, stopped 19 of 20 shots in the game to claim her 22nd career victory in world championships, surpassing Florence Schelling of Switzerland as the winningest goalie of all time in the tournament. Despite being injured before the championship, Desbiens showcased her resilience and determination by returning to the ice and putting on a stellar performance.
Desbiens’ teammate Poulin praised her for being more than just a goal scorer, highlighting her contributions in all aspects of the game. The Canadian captain emphasized Desbiens’ work ethic and dedication, describing her as a warrior who fights for her team. Head coach Troy Ryan also commended both players for their leadership and performance, noting that their contributions were instrumental in Canada’s success.
With these historic achievements under their belts, Poulin and Desbiens are now gearing up to face the United States in the gold medal game, continuing the long-standing rivalry between the two nations in women’s hockey. The final will mark the 23rd time the two teams have clashed for gold in 24 tournaments since 1990, with Canada seeking its 14th title and the U.S. aiming for its 11th.
The stage is set for an intense and thrilling showdown, with both teams vying for supremacy on the ice. As Canada looks to defend its title and the U.S. seeks redemption, fans can expect a closely contested battle between the top women’s hockey teams in the world.
As the anticipation builds for the championship game in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic, all eyes will be on Poulin, Desbiens, and their teammates as they look to etch their names in the history books once again. The stage is set for a historic showdown between two hockey powerhouses, and fans can expect nothing less than an epic battle for gold.
