Canada rebounded emphatically on Thursday, February 8, 2026, with a dominant 5-0 victory over Finland in their final preliminary round game at the Olympics. The win secures the second seed in their pool and a quarterfinal matchup against Germany.
An all-rookie fourth line ignited the Canadian offense, while Jenn Gardiner’s first Olympic goal proved to be the game-winner. Emily Clark added two goals to pace the attack. This bounce-back performance comes after a stunning 5-0 loss to the United States, their largest margin of defeat ever against their rivals on the Olympic stage.
Adding to the positive news for the defending Olympic champions, captain Marie-Philip Poulin returned to the ice for a skate on Thursday, though she did not participate in the game. Head coach Tory Ryan told CBC’s Claire Hanna that Poulin was feeling well and he expects her to be back on the ice during the Olympics. Poulin’s return is a significant boost for Canada, as she has been a key figure in their past Olympic gold-medal victories.
Canada’s offensive approach against Finland was a marked improvement from their previous game, with a full team effort resulting in goals from Gardiner, Kristin O’Neill, Daryl Watts, and two from Clark. The fourth line of Julia Gosling, O’Neill, and Gardiner was particularly impactful, contributing two goals and consistently generating offensive pressure.
Gardiner opened the scoring late in the first period, rifling a wrist shot top corner after a clever setup from O’Neill and Gosling. O’Neill extended the lead in the second period, capitalizing on a screen created by her linemates. Watts then added a highlight-reel goal, finishing a beautiful passing play with a precise shot from close range. Clark rounded out the scoring with two goals in the third period, including a classic wrap-around.
The rookie line’s success was evident in their extended ice time and consistent presence in the offensive zone. Gardiner, who led all players with six goals in seven games at last year’s World Championships, saw limited action against Team USA but is expected to play a larger role moving forward.
Canadian goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens delivered a strong performance, making 17 saves to earn the shutout against the back-to-back Olympic bronze medalists. She was particularly sharp in the second period, denying several Finnish scoring chances.
Canada will now face Germany in the quarterfinals on Saturday, February 10, 2026, at 10:40 am ET. This quarterfinal matchup will be a key test for the Canadians as they continue their pursuit of a gold medal.
