Canada lay down Olympic marker with 4-2 win over reigning champs USA

Canada have defeated the United States 4-2 in their women's ice hockey final group stage encounter on Tuesday 8 February at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games.

Deadlocked until the 14th minute, Canada's Brianne Jenner broke the ice with assists by Sarah Fillier, and Marie-Philip Poulin.

The U.S. then scored twice as the game sparked into life in the second period.

Dani Cameranesi and Alex Carpenter gave the reigning champs a 2-1 lead, Amanda Kessel getting an assist for Carpenter to keep her point-a-game record alive.

But the lead wouldn't last long as Brianne Jenner got her second of the game and fifth goal in Beijing just thirty seconds later.

Jamie Lee Rattray chipped in to put Canada a goal up 3-2.

Then there was a flashback for Marie-Philip Poulin as she was impeded on a breakaway, Cayla Barnes called for slashing, and 'Captain Clutch' had a penalty shot.

Against the goalie that saved her crucial shootout effort in the final at the PyeongChang 2018 Games four years ago when the U.S. took a 3-2 win.

This time Poulin made no mistake and Canada stepped off the ice with a 4-2 win and a huge boost on their quest to retake that Olympic gold.

Brianne Jenner: "We'll see if we see them again."

After the game Canada's two-goal hero Jenner wasn't getting carried away.

"It was a little messy," she told Olympics.com

"I think we've got to learn a little bit from the way we came out in the first period and take the puck a little better. But I thought our special teams were huge, our D blocked a ton of shots our goalie was phenomenal.

"So those are good signs. Every time we play these guys it's an entertaining game and you know, there are a lot of respect for that team over there, but we're kind of focused on us right now and the next game ahead of us.

"We'll see if we see them again."

Hilary Knight: "We weren't good enough"

And the USA's Hilary Knight knows they'll have to be better if they meet the Canadians again and are to defend their Olympic title.

"I think we need to have better shots, we need to find the back of the net to win a game and we obviously weren't good enough.

"It's wonderful to have this game as a measuring stick and see what works but just work and go back to the drawing board, wipe it clean at 12am tonight and get back to work for this tournament."

Women's ice hockey schedule Beijing 2022 Olympics: When do Canada and the U.S. play next?

Both teams will advance to the quarter-finals which will be played on February 11, with Canada facing the team that finishes second in Group B while the U.S. will take on the team that finishes second in Group B.