The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) is home to some of the world’s best ice hockey players who come together to compete on a global stage. In this year’s IIHF World Championship, one player in particular had a historic milestone. On May 30th, 2021, Canada’s captain and star player, Marie-Philippe Poulin, earned her 100th point in IIHF competition. This is a remarkable achievement, and it was made all the more special by the timing. Poulin’s 100th point helped Canada clinch the gold medal in the tournament. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Poulin’s landmark accomplishment and what it means for her and the sport of hockey.
The United States defeated Canada 6-3 to earn the gold medal in women’s hockey at the 2021 and 2022 Worlds and the 2022 Olympics. Hilary Knight was the star of the game, netting three goals, including two on power plays at the end of the third period. These goals were also her 99th, 100th, and 101st career points in World Women’s competition, marking her third time as the game winner in a WW gold game after 2011 and 2017. The game was played in front of a sold-out crowd that was enthusiastic throughout the game.
Canada had three leads in the game, but each time, the United States came back. Canada even had a two-skater advantage for 1:36, but the U.S. was unfazed and continued to press. Ultimately, Cayla Barnes added an empty netter with 1:58 remaining to remove any doubts.
The U.S. had more jump to start, as the Canadians appeared jittery and fumbled passes. The U.S. ran into penalty trouble, allowing Canada to score the first goal. However, the U.S. tied the game off the rush, and the two teams continued to be evenly matched throughout the game.
This win ends Canada’s three golds in a row. The crowd was entertained throughout the night by the game’s back-and-forth flow, and Hilary Knight’s excellent performance with three goals.
In conclusion, the IIHF World Championship is a thrilling event that brings together some of the world’s best hockey players. And for Patrick Kane, reaching 100 points in the tournament was an especially memorable moment. His achievement not only helped Team USA secure a victory, but it also solidified his status as one of the game’s all-time greats. As the tournament continues, fans can look forward to more exciting moments and unforgettable performances from the world’s top hockey stars.
