2010 Memories, Day 14: Women's ice hockey gold and Rochette's inspiring bronze
Credit to Author: Harrison Mooney| Date: Tue, 25 Feb 2020 15:00:17 +0000
Follow along as we look back at the moments that made headlines each day during the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Feb. 25, 2010: Day 14 at the Vancouver Olympics was the story of 22 women.
The Canadian women’s national ice hockey team were always a lock to deliver a medal for their country — it remained to be seen, however, what colour it would be. The 21-woman squad arrived in Vancouver in search of its third consecutive Olympic gold, but its rivals on Team USA had other ideas, and the Americans were feeling confident after winning the 2009 world championship in Finland.
Both groups obliterated their competition en route to the final, routinely defeating lesser opponents by double-digit scores. But the long-awaited showdown was a low-scoring affair, with Canadian forward Marie-Philip Poulin scoring twice in the first period and goaltender Shannon Szabados delivering a shutout performance in a 2-0 nail-biter. It was Canada’s fourth gold medal in four consecutive days.
Then there was the inspirational story of Montreal figure skater Joannie Rochette, who battled through tragedy to deliver the performance of her life. Rochette’s mother died suddenly of a heart attack upon arriving in Vancouver. But rather than bow out, the 24-year-old chose to skate in her mother’s honour and delivered two incredible, emotional programs to win a bronze medal. She was later chosen as the flag bearer for the closing ceremony.
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