Canada could have its captain back for the knockout round.
However, it is still too early to assess whether Marie-Philip Poulin will be ready women’s hockey team’s quarterfinal game against Germany on Saturday, head coach Troy Ryan said on Friday, per Hailey Salvian of The Athletic.
Poulin sustained a lower-body injury when she was checked by Kristyna Kaltounkova midway through the opening period of Canada’s 5-1 win over Czechia.
“It did hurt, still hurts, but it’s part of it,” Poulin said. “Happy with where I’m at today. Obviously, skated yesterday, skated today. … To get back on the ice with that team is truly special.”
The Beauceville, Que., native then missed a 5-0 loss to Team USA and a 5-0 win over Finland.
She participated fully in practice on Friday, taking turns on a line with Daryl Watts and Sarah Fillier, per Salvian.
Ryan has previously expressed optimism that Poulin would return during this tournament.
Poulin, a five-time Olympian, already has three gold medals and one silver. She scored the winning goal in the gold-medal game during all three Canadian victories.
