‘This is redemption’: Canada beat USA to women’s ice hockey gold

Captain Clutch' Marie-Philip Poulin scores twice as a resurgent Canada side win 3-2 against their old rivals

The imperious Canada women's hockey team completed a buzzsaw run through the Olympic tournament with a comprehensive victory over their defining foes, seeing off the United States in Thursday afternoon's gold medal game by a 3-2 scoreline that flattered to deceive.

The latest instalment in one of world sport's most hotly contested rivalries was largely one-way traffic for the half hour when the outcome truly hung in the balance. Marie-Philip Poulin, Canada's longtime talisman known as Captain Clutch", scored twice as the defending world champions opened a three-goal lead behind an aggressive forechecking attack and a standout effort by in-form goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens, who finished with 38 saves.