Canada's national women's hockey team is primed to earn a gold medal spot, but standing in the Canadians' way is Switzerland — and the ghosts of 2019.
Two years ago, Canada was the heavy favourite heading into the 2019 semifinal game against Finland; the group was handed a 4-2 loss and, for the first time in tournament history, Canada did not play for gold.
A number of players return from that team, including captain Marie-Philip Poulin, and they'll be focused on putting the past behind them.
So far, so good in 2021.
After sweeping through the group stage with a pristine 4-0 record — including a commanding 5-1 win over the Americans — they blew Germany out of WinSport Arena with a 7-0 score (and 52-3 shot advantage) in the quarterfinals. Poulin, who missed the final group game against the United States after taking a shot off her chest, returned and collected a goal and an assist against the Germans.
Canada will look to keep rolling against a Swiss team they defeated 5-0 in the preliminary round. Emerance Maschmeyer earned the shutout, but it'll be Ann-Renée Desbiens in between the pipes. Desbiens has been stellar for Canada and will have some firepower in front of her. Mélodie Daoust leads that group and the tournament with 10 points (four goals, six assists). Her linemates, Natalie Spooner and Sarah Fillier, aren't too far behind with nine and five points, respectively.
Over the course of 12 all-time meetings, Canada has never allowed more than two goals and has shut out Switzerland in every world championship game (7-0). Switzerland upset the ROC in the quarterfinals, winning 3-2 in overtime. The Swiss won despite missing star forward Alina Muller, who suffered an ankle injury in the team's second game of the tournament.
The winner of this game will face the United States for the gold medal. USA Hockey defeated Finland 3-0 in the other semifinal.
Sporting News has all the action as Canada goes for a spot in the gold-medal game against Switzerland (all times Eastern):
Canada vs. Switzerland score, highlights from 2021 Women's World Championship semifinals
Pregame
6:14 p.m. — Canadians lineup:
6:10 p.m. — The drip.
6 p.m. — Canada wearing the red.