It took overtime – and a flick of the wrist from a former Boston University star – but Canada won the IIHF Women’s World Championship for the first time since 2012 when Marie-Philip Poulin placed a 20-foot wrist shot into the United States net Tuesday night in Calgary, Alberta.
Poulin, 30, played at BU from 2011-15 and led the Terriers to four straight Hockey East championships.
“I am really proud of this group. I thought we had a great first period, we weathered the storm in the second and followed it up with a really good third period. Then you get to overtime and anything happens. Either way, I am really proud of what we accomplished here,” U.S. head coach Joel Johnson told the media following the game.
Overtime featured 3-on-3 action. Canada seemed the faster team in the extra session and took full advantage of the extra room on the ice. The two best programs in the world put on a show of speed and skill.
Poulin ended the game when she picked the top right corner past U.S. goaltender Nicole Hensley with a perfectly-placed shot, lifting Canada to a 3-2 win. Hensley, terrific all night, had no chance on the OT winner.
The puck quickly flew back onto the ice and the game continued until there was a stoppage in play. The shot was then ruled a goal. While Canada celebrated, there were more than a few tears from U.S. players. Such is the rivalry.
The U.S. went 5-2 in the tournament, losing both times to Canada, the first by a wide 5-1 margin.
The U.S., which had won five straight Women’s World Championship titles, received a terrific performance from forward Alex Carpenter (North Reading, Mass.). The former Boston College standout scored both goals in the first period to propel the U.S. into a 2-0 lead.
Carpenter scored five goals over her final two games.
But Canada scored twice in the second period to pull even, displaying grit and tenacity. The U.S. couldn’t break the tie despite being on the power play for much of the third period. Canada seemed to receive a lift from its dogged determination on the penalty kill.
Carpenter and defenseman Caroline Harvey (Salem, N.H.) were New England’s two representatives on the U.S. team. Harvey, 18, was the youngest American skater. Six other players on the U.S. team either played or are still playing at New England colleges.
Serving as captain was forward Kendall Coyne Schofield, a former Northeastern great.
Assistants Brian Pothier (New Bedford, Mass.) and Courtney Kennedy (Woburn, Mass.) were on the U.S. coaching staff.
Four of Canada’s players skated at New England universities. Winning gold medals with Poulin were Victoria Bach (BU), Emerance Maschmeyer (Harvard) and Laura Stacey (Dartmouth).
