2026 Olympic Games: Canada defeats Czechia 5-1 after Poulin exits women's hockey game

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Canadians Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier sit in 3rd place following the rhythm dance

Canadian ice dance duo Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier are in podium position, after scoring 86.18 points to finish in third place in the rhythm dance.

The ice dancers' rhythm dance event has wrapped up with Canada’s Gilles and Poirier in medal contention, sitting in third place out of 23 pairs. 

The skaters will return on Wednesday at 1:30pm ET for the free dance, where medals will be awarded. 

France’s Laurence Fournier Beaudry — who was born in Montreal — and Guillaume Cizeron are sitting in first place, with U.S. Pair Madison Chock and Evan Bates in second. 

France's Cizeron and ex-Canadian skater Fournier Beaudry lead after rhythm dance

France's Guillaume Cizeron and his partner, former Canadian skater Laurence Fournier Beaudry, scored 90.18 points to take top spot in the rhythm dance.

Spectators were treated to Ricky Martin songs at least three times during today’s ice dance competition, where competing pairs had to adhere to the theme "rhythm of the 90s," chosen by the International Skating Union.

Some skaters mouthed the words as they danced to classic earworms from the likes of Backstreet Boys, Spice Girls, Madonna and George Michael. 

Some went in a rock direction, with tracks from The Offspring, AC/DC and Lenny Kravitz also popping up at the Milano Ice Skating Arena.

Good news for Canada. Defender Erin Ambrose returned to the ice after going off earlier in the period. It’s been a difficult game for injuries on both sides, and a lot of physicality.

Ambrose, who is from Keswick, Ont., is one of the most important defenders for this team at both ends of the ice.

Czech forward Natálie Mlýnková has put her team on the board on a power play goal in the third period. Canada still leads 5-1. 

Mlýnková is in her rookie season with the PWHL’s Montreal Victoire. She leads the Czech team in scoring at this tournament.

In other news, Canadian defender Erin Ambrose has just gone down the tunnel after going down in front of the net on Mlýnková’s goal.

That would be another big loss for the Canadian team. We’ll keep an eye on it. 

The Ottawa Charge is well represented on Team Canada at this Olympics, including by its captain Brianne Jenner.

Fan Katie Lark brought her study books to watch the game and root on her favourite Charge players. 

"We see them every week, every month, all the time here, and to see them on the main international stage, representing Canada, which is a huge country. It just … warms my heart that they're such good players, and that they're such, they really do care about our country and our team."

Claire spoke with assistant captain, Renata Fast, during the intermission.

"She's irreplaceable," Fast said. "We hope that she's healthy, but I think the group has a lot of players that know how to step up in big moments. We have a ton of leaders on this team, and we'll manage through it."

Of course, you hope Poulin is healthy for Canada’s game against the U.S. Tomorrow. But the next two games only matter for placement in Group A. Canada will advance to the quarterfinals regardless, along with every other team in Group A.

Without Marie-Philip Poulin, the Canadian bench has had to shuffle its lines. 

Emma Maltais, Brianne Jenner and Natalie Spooner are skating together.

Laura Stacey drops down to the third line with Blayre Turnbull and Emily Clark. We know these three can play well together as a checking line.

The solid second line of Daryl Watts, Sarah Nurse and Sarah Fillier has stayed together, as has the fourth line of Julia Gosling, Kristin O’Neill and Jennifer Gardiner.

The Czechs have had to shuffle things around too after forward Barbora Juříčková went off a few minutes ago.

Canada has outshot the Czechs, 30-9, over two periods.

I predicted this would be a physical game, and it certainly has been.

We’ve seen four penalties for illegal hits so far. Of course, one was on Kristýna Kaltounková for the hit that took Marie-Philip Poulin off the ice.

Canadians Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, considered Canada’s best chance at a medal in ice dance, have moved into second place after their performance, with four teams remaining. Continuing the 90s pop theme, the pair danced to RuPaul’s Supermodel and Right Said Fred’s I’m too Sexy.

Lajoie and Lagha have dropped to fifth place, and Lauriault and Le Gac are in 11th. 

Team Canada captain Marie-Philip Poulin injured during Canada-Czechia game

Marie-Philip Poulin left during the first period of Canada's preliminary match against Czechia, and was ruled out of the game with a suspected lower-body injury.

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