Canada's Clutch Goaltending Secures Back-to-Back World Championship Titles

The Women's World Championship Final once again featured Team USA v. Team Canada -- 20 of the 21 have featured both sides -- in one of hockey's largest growing traditions. While increased parity of the sport is paramount, fans anticipate this matchup every year, as the world's two top programs always put on a show. Canada is the reigning Olympic and World Champion after Marie-Philip Poulin scored the golden goal just a year ago. Before that, Team USA had won 5 consecutive World Championships. After defeating Team USA earlier today, Canada now holds the edge all-time, by a total count of 12-9.

After a stalemate through the opening period and a half, Canada quickly secured a 2-0 lead thanks to Brianne Jenner, who knew all the right buttons to push on American goaltender Nicole Hensley. Jenner beat Hensley twice with her quick release. Marie-Philip Poulin made a brilliant set-up play on Jenner's first, and the second was just an absolute snipe on the powerplay. That shot should require a permit.

Team USA is never out of the fight, however, for they possess a loaded roster in their own right. Amanda Kessel drew the attention of three Canadian players and plated a back-door tap in for Abby Roque with just :20 seconds left in the second.

Enter: Ann-Renée Desbiens. Canada's goaltender would be Canada's best player from here on out, as Team USA poured it on in efforts to knot up the score. USA outshot their opponent 12-6 in the third period, making it extremely close at times. Desbiens would never capitulate, however, contributing to the highlight reel more than once.

Canada wins by a tally of 2-1, securing World Championships in consecutive years for the first time since 2003-2004. Team USA will have to wait until the two face off in a seven-game rivalry series this winter to earn a chance at revenge. Meanwhile, Canada remains the apex predator of the women's hockey ecosystem.

The whole thing took a weird turn when Hockey Canada CEO walked out to present the medals and the trophy. Hockey Canada is knee-deep in two sexual assault scandals, and the Canadian government, the Canadian people, and others in the hockey world have called for Smith's resignation. The organization recently stated its support of its CEO, but that decision wasn't without pushback. To have Smith dish out the the awards is a display of negligence and -- frankly -- disrespect. Do not take my word for it, take Frank Seravalli's, who said it perfectly.

Not to take something inherently positive and tarnish is it with something so intrinsically negative simply for the sake of doing it. No one wants to do that. But it is worth pointing out, as Hockey Canada wades through their murky situation. It shows just the sort of change to be expected with traditional leadership.

MVP - Taylor Heise
Best Forward - Taylor Heise
Best Defenceman - Daniela Pejsova
Best Goaltender - Nicole Hensley

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