SCORE ONE FOR NOVA SCOTIA
GANGNEUNG — Jillian Saulnier’s first goal as a Canadian Olympian will be remembered for more than the excellent stretch pass from Rebecca Johnston and the beauty of a breakaway finish.
From the province that gave Canadian hockey fans Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon, Saulnier became the first woman from Nova Scotia to score a goal at the Olympics.
“That was a pretty special moment,” the 25-year-old from
Halifax said. “I know the girls were jumping up and down on the bench and to have my mom in the stands was pretty exciting too.
“To be able to contribute to that win was a pretty memorable moment.”
Saulnier, who had an assist in the
tournament opener on Sunday, is fitting in nicely with the offensively blessed Canadian team that has scored nine goals in two games. One of the speedy youngsters in the lineup, Saulnier has been difficult to miss in the two opening wins.
“Playing my first games with some of the best veterans in the world is pretty special,” Saulnier said. “To come here and put more pucks in the net than we were expecting … that’s exciting.”
And she’s not the only Nova Scotian on coach Laura Schuler’s roster — centre Blayre Turnbull is from of Stellarton, N.S.