'Who cares what the past was?': Canada's women look for redemption against U.S. in women's hockey final | CBC Sports

"For Canada's women's hockey team, the fact that they were going to face the U.S. in the gold-medal game was the right kind of foregone conclusion. For all the progress that's been made in the women's game, there remain levels to it. When Canada beat Switzerland 2-1 in Monday's semifinal, it felt more like a formality than a victory, as close as the score was."

"Now comes the sort of inevitability that requires conquering. WATCH | Canada squeaks by Switzerland in semifinal: Marie-Philip Poulin scored twice as Canada defeated Switzerland 2-1 on Monday, in the Olympic semifinal at Milano Cortina 2026. Canada, which was worse than the U.S. in every possible way in a 5-0 loss in the preliminary round, has 72 hours to find the belief that Thursday's final will have a different result that they can somehow beat an American team that's younger, faster, meaner, stronger."

Canada advanced to the Olympic gold-medal game after a 2-1 semifinal win over Switzerland that felt more like a formality despite the close score. The United States reached the final with a dominant 5-0 victory over Sweden and remains heavily favored after a 5-0 preliminary win over Canada. Canada has 72 hours to regain belief and adjust tactics against a younger, faster, stronger American team. Captain Marie-Philip Poulin returns from a knee injury, scored both semifinal goals, and broke Hayley Wickenheiser's Olympic scoring record with her first goal. Teammates credit Poulin's clutch play and daily work.

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