Goaltender Shannon Szabados made 28 saves to backstop Team Canada to a 2-0 shutout over the U.S. in front of a sold-out home crowd while defending their gold medal from the 2006 Turin Games.
Canada got on the board midway through the first period moments after killing off back-to-back penalties after a one-timer from Marie-Philip Poulin got past goaltender Jessie Vetter. Poulin struck again minutes later during a four-on-four play.
The Canadians had to kill two lengthy five-on-three opportunities for the U.S. to get back in the game. The first came late in the first period that saw team captain Hayley Wickenheiser block a heavy shot by Lisa Chesson from the point, and the second in the second after they took successive delay of game penalties for shooting the puck over the glass.
The women later celebrated their win by kicking back on the ice at Canada Hockey Placewith some beers and cigars, which drew predictable outrage from the International Olympic Committee.
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