February 16, 2022 Golden Girls

The clock ticked down 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 – 00, the buzzer sounded and the ice erupted in triumphant celebration. The Canadian women’s hockey team sealed victory over the USA in the gold medal game in Beijing China. It was a shining moment in the lives of the women that have sacrificed so much to reach the pinnacle of women’s hockey. The win was hard-fought and well deserved. After four years of second-guessing, Canada’s women have brought home the gold.

Defeat wasn’t an option.

But for the American women, it was a defeat that stung deep inside. The tears in the eyes of the losers were laid bare for all to see. It is one of the great tragedies of sport. There has to be a loser.

And a winner.

Four years ago in Pyeongchang, South Korea, the Canadians felt the bitter taste of defeat to the same American team. After basically owning the gold for the previous Olympic Games the Canadians had their first experience on the losing end.

And they didn’t like it.

The team was led by their captain Marie-Philip Poulin who scored twice and had three points, including the Olympic gold medal-winning goal. This was the third such gold medal-winning goal for the player from Beauceville, Quebec. When asked about her victorious goal, in a very Canadian way she deflected it onto her teammates and took none of the credit for her efforts. Yet without her, Canada may not have skated away victorious.

It is a victory at a time when Canada needs something to cheer about. The Canadian men sure didn’t give Canada anything to cheer about. 

These women reflect what is pure about the games. They play for the love and sacrifice of it all. Unfortunately, so much of the Olympic movement has become about money. This team of women is certainly not in it for the money.

They are in it for the glory.

And what a glorious victory it was.