Canada has defeated the United States 3-2 in the fierce rivals’ latest showdown to win the gold medal in women’s hockey.
Marie-Philip Poulin scored twice and assisted on Sarah Nurse’s goal to add another chapter to her legacy as “Captain Clutch” for Canada. Goalie Ann-Renee Desbiens made 38 saves and was at her best when under siege.
Saanichton’s Micah Zandee-Hart, a defenceman, had one shot and was +1 in 14:59 of ice time in the gold medal game.
Speaking in Victoria Thursday, Micah’s mom Pat Zandee-Hart said she is thrilled her daughter is an Olympic gold medallist.
“I got a few texts and she said I can hardly wait to share this piece of heavy medal with you,” Zandee-Hart said.
The 25-year-old from Saanichton had many on Vancouver Island cheering for her as she went for gold Wedneday night.
“It’s a pretty tight knit hockey community out here so again I know everyone was rooting for [her], so fantastic,” said Mark Hall, Development Coordinator with Peninsula Minor Hockey.
Pat Zandee-Hart was surrounded by family as she watched the game, tearing up as she watched her daughter go after her Olympic dream.
“Weepy and excited and nervous and just wishing her everything for her dream.”
Zandee-Hart started her hockey career as a little girl playing for Peninsula Minor Hockey, impressing every coach along the way.
“The hockey they knew for sure but just the character and the leadership abilities they knew there was something special there for sure,” said Hall.
Zandee-Hart is the first B.C.-born player to play and win Olympic gold with Team Canada women’s hockey.
“She’s mentioned several times there was no real role model for her growing up, a lot of the eastern payers have a role model that has been on the Olympic team that comes out to the practices, she never really had that,” said her mom.
Now, with a gold medal around her neck, Micah Zandee-Hart will be that player young kids look up to and aspire to be.
“She loves to chat with the girls, talk about opportunities whether you’re an Olympian or whether you just like to play hockey there’s a place for you,” Pat Zandee-Hart said.
Canada won Olympic gold for the fifth time in seven chances since women’s hockey was introduced at the 1998 Nagano Games. The defending champion U.S. settled for silver for the fourth time.
The Americans got a goal from star winger Hilary Knight and another with 13.5 seconds left from Amanda Kessel. But they could not get past Desbiens again to force overtime.
It was Canada’s fourth gold medal of the Beijing Games.
With files from the Canadian Press.
CHEK News
