Canada takes OT win over US in women’s hockey world final

UTICA, N.Y. (AP) — Slowed by an injury entering the women’s world hockey championships, it seemed only a matter of time for Marie-Philip Poulin — aka, Canada’s Captain Clutch — to make her presence felt.

That moment came on Sunday, with Poulin scoring twice in a breathtaking 6-5 overtime win over the United States that has the gold medal returning to Canada for a tournament-record 13th time.

“I hate to say you’re not trying to rely on it, expect it, but I know I’ve grown to expect it,” Canada coach Troy Ryan said. “Tonight was just a whole other level. I could see in her eyes every time we called her name that she was ready to go. It’s just special.”

In an outing sealed by Danielle Serdachny converting a rebound 5:16 into the extra period for a power-play goal, Poulin was the difference-maker in settling Canada in an outing filled with momentum shifts, three lead changes and neither team building more than a one goal lead.

Canada got payback by beating the Americans on home soil in central New York a year after a 6-3 loss to the U.S., who won their 10th tournament outside of Toronto.

Poulin went so far as to search out U.S. captain Hilary Knight and give her a hug on the ice.

“We just said ‘that was unbelievable,‘” Poulin said.

Earlier in the day, Petra Nieminen scored the decisive shootout goal, and Finland defeated the Czech Republic 3-2 to win its 14th bronze medal — and first since 2021.

Next year’s championship is set for the Czech Republic, the first time the nation has hosted.