Marie-Philip Poulin for GOLD! Have you heard this one before?

The IX: Hockey Friday with Erica L. Ayala, September 3, 2021

Death. Taxes. Marie-Philip Poulin scoring!

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These are the inevitabilities of life as a women’s hockey fan. We missed MPP against the United States in the preliminary round (she missed a game after blocking a freaking shot with her neck!). Come Tuesday’s gold medal game Poulin was back and shot her team to gold in overtime.

We got a much more competitive game Tuesday than we did in the 5-1 preliminary game between these two sides. Canada won that one WITHOUT MPP, by the way. The United States got on the board first with two first period goals by Alex Carpenter. You know, the Alex Carpenter that got cut from the 2018 Olympic squad. Yea, that Alex Carpenter.

Anyway!

The things is, Canada looked most comfortable in the game early on. The United States never seemed to play with any synergy. I mean, players were literally running into one another on the ice during the 3v3 overtime! This tells me the lines either need more time to work on their communication, or they’re not the right line combos.

The lack of Abby Roque is mind-boggling to me. Check below to hear/watch what Joel Johnson said (or didn’t) about ice time.

Canada was the team the executed best, without question. I for one look forward to what both team will do between now and the 2022 Beijing Olympics in February. Speaking of the Winter Olympics…


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Week in Women’s Hockey

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Must-Click Links

Hailey Salvian on the Canada OT win!

The USA defense on the last play of OT was not great! Let me explain

Finland takes bronze, defeats Switzerland.

Watch the WCHA on the B1G Network for the next 3 years!

Blayre Turnbull makes peace with Nova Scotia missing the chance to host Women’s Worlds.

Amber Moore joins This Hockey Life podcast.

I say death to 3v3, but Mike Murphy has you covered for best 3v3 teams in the NWHL.

A women’s hockey notebook in The Seattle Times, love to see it.

Lindenwood promotes  Kristi Kehoe to associate head coach.


Tweet of the Week


Five at The IX: Joel Johnson

USA head coach Joel Johnson speaks to the media after a 3-2 overtime loss to Canada in the gold medal game of the 2021 IIHF Women’s Worlds Championship in Calgary, Alberta.


Mondays: Soccer

By: Annie Peterson, @AnnieMPeterson AP Women’s Soccer

Tuesdays: Tennis

By Joey Dillon, @JoeyDillon Freelance Tennis Writer

Wednesdays: Basketball

By: Howard Megdal, @HowardMegdal The Next

Thursdays: Golf

By Sarah Kellam @sarahkellam, The IX

Fridays: Hockey

By: Erica Ayala, @ELindsay08 NWHL Broadcaster

Saturdays: Gymnastics

By Jessica Taylor Price, @jesstaylorprice, Freelance Gymnastics Writer

Written by Erica L. Ayala