Some key reinforcements are returning to the Red and White.
It has been reported that Canada captain Marie-Philip Poulin will be in the lineup on Saturday when the Canadians take on Germany in the quarterfinals of the women’s tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Poulin has missed the past two games due to a lower-body injury she suffered early in Canada’s clash with Czechia on Monday. In the latter half of the first period, the five-time Olympian was hit hard by Czech forward and New York Sirens rookie Kristýna Kaltounková. Poulin fell awkwardly to the ice and was in clear distress as she trudged off the ice.
The 34-year-old was out of action for the team’s abysmal effort against the United States, a 5-0 loss on Tuesday. She also missed Canada’s final preliminary-round game, which saw the team find its footing with a 5-0 victory over Finland.
When speaking to the media after practice on Friday, Poulin revealed that she had a “little tweak” to her right knee on the Kaltounková hit. She admitted it’s still bugging her, but she’s willing to play through it.
“It did hurt,” Poulin said. “Still hurts, but it’s part of it.”
Poulin’s absence ended a streak of 23 consecutive games at the Winter Games. Even as one of the older players in the PWHL, the Montreal Victoire star hadn’t missed a game since suffering an injury during the league’s inaugural season.
The Quebec native has just one assist so far in Milan, that coming on Natalie Spooner’s goal, the team’s first of the tournament, in the win over Switzerland last Friday. Poulin is second all-time in Olympic scoring behind Hockey Hall of Famer Hayley Wickenheiser, with 36 points in 24 games.
Puck drop between Canada and Germany is set for 10:40 a.m. ET.
