The Risk Versus The Reward

I know there's a push among women's hockey players to allow for more physicality in their game, and I'm not here to stifle that discussion and any resulting progress. If the women want to throw checks, they should be able to come to a reasonable agreement on how that can be done. As we saw in today's Canada-Czechia game, there are some women who are rather good at throwing bodychecks, but, just as in men's hockey, there can be injuries as we saw Canadian captain Marie-Philip Poulin exit the game in the first period today. Immediately, the thoughts began running in my head about to deal with Poulin's potential injury, and I think there's one clear solution.

Canada handled the Czech team fairly well once Poulin exited the game, and I know there's a push to win the group so they can have last change throughout the medal round. That's not lost on me as I weighed the options, but we know the US - Canada's opponent tomorrow - play physical as well. We know they'll likely find out that Poulin has some bumps and bruises thanks to the Czechs, and they'll look to exploit that wearing down one of the game's best players whenever they can. This isn't a secret - it happens in all sports.

If Poulin doesn't play, that will remove a big weapon from Canada's offensive arsenal that they desperately need against the high-flying Americans. The chances of beating the Americans would get lower, but that's where having faith in the team that Canada assembled can do the job even as one of their best may not be able to play.

If Poulin opts to play and puts the team ahead of her own health, that's a choice she's making to help the Canadians in their quest for another gold medal. Last change in medal-round games could be vitally important, so earning a win over the US would be important if those two were to meet in one of the medal-round games.

However, if she aggravates the injury or takes another bump that forces her to miss significant time at these Olympics, what then? Last change is important, but is it more important than Canada losing its consensus best player for multiple games or the rest of the tournament? I can't see that decision as even being on the table.

I'm not one to play the win-at-all-costs game when it comes to potentially losing my best player for an extended period of time. If the game against Team USA was for the gold medal, I could understand wanting Poulin in the game, but this is preliminary game that will ultimately see these two teams end up on opposite ends of the bracket. You can stress the importance of having home-ice advantage in the medal round, but Canada can't be caught by the Czechs who have played their four games, they can't be caught by the Swiss who have one game remaining, and Finland would need to beat Canada in regulation on the final day of the preliminary round after beating Switzerland the day before. In short, Canada's looking good.

And allow me to go on the record to say that the Americans are NOT going into thug-mode against Canada. They certainly don't want any of their players hurt in the game tomorrow, but the fact remains that every push, bump, and check that Poulin takes could make her injury worse. We know Poulin goes to high-traffic areas and loves to have the puck on her stick, so the Americans will be forced to check her when she does. I'd rather not run the risk that Poulin aggravates the injury than rolling the dice that the Americans will give her space. That's not how Team USA plays - they make Canada earn it.

In saying all of that, I'd let Poulin sit tomorrow so she can aim to be 100% for the medal round. Canada needs her at her best on the biggest stage, and any further injury would throw everything into chaos. I know she's a vital part of the Canadian team no matter what game they play in, but losing the battle to win the war is a compromise all Canadian fans will be comfortable with when Captain Canada returns rested, recovered, and ready to hunt for gold!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!