Canada’s women’s hockey team captain Marie-Philip Poulin made Olympic history Monday, establishing a new all-time scoring record for women’s hockey at the Games during her country’s semifinal matchup with Switzerland in Milan.
Known by her nickname “Captain Clutch,” the veteran athlete netted her record-breaking 19th Olympic goal in the second period at Santagiulia arena. Her slap shot ricocheted off the ice surface before sailing over Swiss goaltender Andrea Braendli’s leg pad, giving Canada a 1-0 advantage and surpassing the previous mark held by fellow Canadian Hayley Wickenheiser.
The milestone moment was just the beginning for Poulin, who secured her 20th Olympic goal fewer than seven minutes afterward. She managed to flip the puck into the net while diving toward the goal, further cementing her historic performance.
The five-time Olympic competitor had been sidelined during Canada’s final two preliminary round contests due to a knee injury sustained in Milan. She made her return to action during Canada’s dominant 5-1 quarterfinal victory over Germany on Saturday, where she equaled Wickenheiser’s longstanding record with her first goal of the Milano Cortina Games.
The reigning Olympic champions are pursuing their sixth gold medal in women’s hockey.
