Poulin hands Canada third straight Olympic ice hockey gold

From Sportsbeat staff, in Vancouver

TEENAGER Marie-Philip Poulin bagged twice as Canada captured their third women's Olympic ice hockey title with victory over the USA but it was goaltender Shannon Szabados who stole the show.

TEENAGE KICKS: Marie-Philip Poulin bags both goals as Canada down the USA for their third straight ice hokcey Olympic gold medal (Getty Images)

Poulin, 18, was clinical in front of goal as she rifled home twice to ensure Canada become the first nation to win the Olympic title on home ice.

But while Poulin, who plays for Dawson College Blues, will be hitting the headlines the length and breadth of Canada on Saturday, it was Szabados' fine performance that was crucial to victory.

Time and again she kept the USA at bay. Any time the 1998 champions and the last country to hold gold before Canada, threatened to force a way back into the match she had an answer.

Earlier in the day, International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge insisted that women's ice hockey must improve in standard and there was a talent discrepancy.

Rogge was referring to the gulf between these two sides and everyone else. As a clash of the Olympic gold medallists against the world champions, this match was always going to be close.

Both sides have blazed a trail of destruction in Vancouver with Canada hitting their straps in their first match, racking up a new Olympic record for a winning margin with an 18-0 victory over Slovakia.

In total the hosts have amassed 42 goals and conceded just two while the USA have notched 46 and shipped four.

And it was only Poulin's sharpshooting that proved the difference at Canada Hockey Place.

Meghan Agosta, who has already set the new Olympic record with nine goals so far, was prominent from the off but it was Poulin who made the breakthrough, firing home on 14 minutes.

She sent the partisan 18,000-capacity crowd into rapture as she left the USA netminder Jessie Vetter with no chance before doubling her side's lead three minutes later.

After a face-off the puck ricocheted around the American goalmouth and it was Poulin whose reactions were quickest to fire high past Vetter.

There was to be no more scoring in the match but it was not all plain sailing for Canada. The nervous looks on the faces of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky and Prime Minister Stephen Harper were testament to that.

Both Monique and Jocelyne Lamoureux tried their hardest but everything they had to throw at Canada did not find a way past Szabados.

The USA in total rained in 28 shots compared to Canada's 29 but Szabados stayed firm throughout to achieve her shut-out.

As the third period expired, Canada could scent victory and there was no late onslaught from the USA before the buzzer sounded and Canada Hockey Place erupted.

Now it's up to the men to follow suit on Sunday.

 

 AS IT HAPPENS: Day 14 of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver

IN PICTURES: Canada women's ice hockey team celebrate Olympic gold