(The Canadian Press)

By Ian Gustafson

Redemption for Canada

‘It’s going to bring even more opportunities for female hockey’: Golden win for Canadian women’s national team

Feb 18, 2022 | 11:00 AM

After losing in the final four years ago, the Canadian women’s national hockey team is golden once again after defeating the U.S. 3-2 in the Beijing Winter Olympics.

After the Canadians got out to a 3-0 lead in the second period, the U.S. scored a shorthanded goal heading into the final frame. The Canadians took a late penalty in the third, which led to the Americans scoring on the powerplay to come within one goal. However, Team Canada was able to hold on in the final seconds to win the gold medal.

President of the Prince Albert Northern Bears Laura Quesnel stayed up to watch the game and said it was awesome to see.

“The girls played well, at the end it was quite exciting,” she said.

Quesnel said she has met Team Canada forward Emily Clark in the past when Clark played in the Saskatchewan Female Under 18 AAA Hockey League for the Saskatoon Stars. Quesnel explained they’ve had Clark come and speak to the Bears a few years back and was excited to know someone on the team.

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“To have someone come from our league and actually play on the Canadian Olympic team is pretty exciting,” she said. “It’s something that gives girls not only for the Bears but in our league the push to something to work towards. If they work hard and follow their goals it could be them one day so that’s pretty exciting.”

The captain of Team Canada Marie-Philip Poulin scored two goals in the Gold Medal game and Quesnel said as a captain Poulin helped Canada play the game like they know and have fun.

“I was pretty excited to see them win that gold. It’s something pretty special, especially for female hockey across Canada,” she said.

She feels that each year female hockey is growing across the country and sees more girls starting to play at a young age with goals to play hockey at a high level.

“It’s great to see the exposure and I think with Canada winning gold It’s going to bring even more opportunities for female hockey,” she said.

Bears forward Sasha Malenfant watched Canada win the big game with her family Wednesday night.

She told paNOW she thought Team Canada played a very intense, great game and expected the two rival countries to keep it close.

“The rivalry has been going on for a few years now and I thought Team Canada in the end, they deserve the win because they knew what they had to do to get what they wanted,” Malenfant said.

She explained the win for Team Canada is huge for women’s hockey in Canada and shows women can do anything.

“It’s inspiring to anybody really and the love of the game it’s a big thing I think.”

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Ian.Gustafson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @IanGustafson12