BEIJING, China — As Canada’s hockey players warmed up on the ice at Wukesong Arena on Thursday, a video of them dancing to a pop song surfaced on Twitter.

On the ice, the players were screaming when a teammate made a good move and it didn’t stop once the game started. It was the same with every shorthanded clearance or after every blocked shot.

“We play for each other and not for ourselves and that’s what made us win,” insisted goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens.

According to the players interviewed, this attitude is linked to the change in leadership within the Canadian women’s hockey team after the loss to the United States in the final of the PyeongChang Games in 2018.

Melody Davidson was then replaced by former player Gina Kingsbury. Perry Pearn became head coach, then Troy Ryan as of 2020.

“We bought the plan from day one and we’ve put in a lot of effort since 2018. It paid off today,” said Marie-Philip Poulin after scoring two goals and an assist in the 3-0 win. -2 for Canada against the United States in the final of the Beijing Games.

“It comes from our leaders, our captain Marie-Philip and her assistants, added Desbiens. Even the girls who are in their first year with the team are bubbly. This is the culture we have instilled in the locker room and I hope it will last for a long time. »

Desbiens was a reserve during the Pyeongchang Games. She then decided to take a break from hockey, saying she was sick of hockey. She finally returned to the entourage of the Canadian team a year and a half later.

It was the change in culture within Hockey Canada that allowed him to rekindle his passion for his sport. With a gold medal around her neck, after a performance of 38 saves against the United States, the La Malbaie goaltender had no regrets about her career.

“I wish everyone to have a team like ours, which has as much fun as us,” said Desbiens, who is 27 years old.

According to Poulin, Canada’s victory was also the result of sacrifices made by Hockey Canada management, coaches and players.

“We have shown resilience. During the whole four-year process, we worked very hard, participated in many videoconferences, she said. Camps have been canceled, Worlds have been canceled, but we have been working hard in our basements to train.

“We put our friends and families aside to double down. We wanted to generate more offense and that had to start with our work in our zone. We have worked very hard out of sight and this gold medal is our reward. »

Canada set an Olympic record by scoring 57 goals in seven games at the Beijing tournament. He conceded 10.

“Every team I’ve been on is special, but this one, from rookies to veterans, everyone was on the same page,” Poulin said.

“We are sincerely happy with each other’s successes and that plays a big role in our success. »

The Canadians once again became the queens of women’s hockey and they did it with a smile. They will still have plenty of reasons to dance, and not just before games to warm up.