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Sports Interaction Staff
Canada vs. Finland Recap: Canada Rolls Into Women’s Quarterfinals with 5-0 Win
Canada delivered the exact response it needed on Thursday, blanking Finland 5–0 to close out the preliminary round and secure a quarterfinal matchup with Germany.
Coming off a 5–0 loss to the United States and still without captain Marie-Philip Poulin, who missed her second straight game with a right leg injury, Canada looked sharper, more assertive and far more composed from the opening faceoff.
The first period started cautiously, with both teams generating little through the opening five minutes. Canada gradually tilted the ice and broke through late in the frame when Jennifer Gardiner found space and finished with just under five minutes remaining. It was her first Olympic goal and Canada’s first since being shut out by the Americans. Canada outshot Finland 9–4 in the opening period and carried a deserved 1–0 lead into intermission.
Early in the second, there was a brief scare when Sarah Fillier went hard into the boards and headed to the locker room. She later returned to the bench. The Canadians then took full control. Daryl Watts doubled the lead just past the midway point of the period, finishing off sustained pressure in the offensive zone. A few minutes later, Kristin O’Neill extended the advantage to 3–0, and the game began to tilt heavily in Canada’s favour.
Emily Clark put the game out of reach early in the third, scoring less than two minutes into the period to make it 4–0. She added her second of the day late in regulation, giving Canada five goals on 23 shots. Finland managed 17 shots overall, but Ann-Renée Desbiens was steady throughout, turning them all aside for the shutout.
Julia Gosling added two assists and now has five points in four games at these Olympics. Canada scored in all three periods and controlled the pace once it found its footing.
Canada vs. Germany Quarterfinal Preview
With the win, Canada finishes second in Group A and will face Germany in Saturday’s quarterfinal.
On paper, it is a favourable matchup. Germany has competed hard in the tournament but does not have the offensive depth Canada can roll out when it is playing with pace. The key for Canada will be avoiding a slow start and keeping its structure tight in transition.
The bigger storyline is Poulin’s status. Head coach Troy Ryan indicated earlier in the week that a few days of rest could help position her for a return. If she is available, it significantly raises Canada’s ceiling heading into the knockout round.
Single elimination changes the tone of the tournament immediately. One lapse can swing everything.
Olympic Women’s Hockey Futures Odds: Where Canada Stands
Despite the bounceback win, the gold medal market still reflects Canada’s earlier loss to the United States.
Current Women’s Olympic hockey gold medal odds:
The United States remains the clear favourite, while Canada sits as the second choice. At +260, Canada is firmly in contention but still priced behind its primary rival.
A strong quarterfinal performance and a potential Poulin return could shift that number heading into the semifinals. For now, Canada has stabilized after its loss and enters the knockout stage looking far more like the team most expected to contend for gold.