MILAN – The Canadian women’s hockey team will take on border rival United States captain Marie-Philip Poulin in a highly anticipated preliminary round game between the sport’s top powers at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Tuesday night.
About five hours before the face-off, the Canadian Olympic Committee announced without elaborating that Poulin would not play due to injury. The news came a day after Palin fell limping through the snow Unexplained lower body injury In the first period of a 5–1 win over Czechia.
It was not immediately clear whether the center would be available to Canadians on Thursday. rescheduled game Against Finland.
The 34-year-old Poulin is considered day-to-day, although it’s unclear when the player nicknamed “Captain Clutch” will be available for Canada’s preliminary-round finale game against Finland on Thursday — the game was previously scheduled for last week, but was postponed after the Finns’ roster was depleted due to a stomach virus.
And Palin’s availability is uncertain for Saturday, when Canada is scheduled to play a quarter-final against an opponent yet to be determined.
Kristina Kaltunkova hit Paulin nine minutes into the teams’ game, touching her helmet. Palin returned for a change on the resulting power play but went back to the bench within seconds and looked like his weight was coming off his right leg.
She headed to the locker room, but came back to the Canada bench briefly at the end of the first period, smiling broadly. Pauline did not return.
U.S. coach John Wroblewski called it “embarrassing” upon learning of Poulin’s injury after his team’s injury. 5-0 win over Switzerland That same evening.
Poulin’s injury has shocked the Canadian hockey community, and is considered a major blow to the team’s chances of defending their Olympic title and winning a sixth gold medal. She is one of the most decorated female players in the country and has earned her nickname by scoring three gold medal-winning goals.
Poulin is making her fifth Olympic appearance, and her 17 career Olympic goals are one short of matching the women’s team record set by Hayley Wickenheiser. She has been particularly impressive against the United States, being Canada’s active leader in scoring with 74 points (42 goals, 32 assists) in 104 games.
Palin’s injury has put on hold her long-standing rivalry against U.S. captain Hilary Knight, who is also competing in her fifth Olympics – a record for the U.S. women’s hockey team. knight has already announced that these will be her last Winter GamesWhile Palin has not thrown any light on her future.
Although Canada won its first two games a combined 9–1, concerns were raised whether the team had fallen behind the Americans, who entered the tournament as favorites.
Concerns arose especially after the US defeated Canada in a four-game exhibition rivalry series that ran in November and December. Canada was outshot 24–7 on aggregate, including a 10–4 victory that marked the most goals Canada had ever given up in an international game.
The US has won six consecutive meetings against the Canadians dating Two-game lead in winning gold medal at the World Championships in April.
“I don’t know where he is, but I know, no matter what, we’re all going to be together,” said Canadian forward Laura Stacey, who is also married to Palin. “We’re going to support her and I know she’s going to support us, so no matter what happens I know our team is in great hands.”
