MILAN — Marie-Philip Poulin returned — and made history — as Team Canada beat Germany 5-1 in the quarterfinals of the Olympic women’s hockey tournament.

Poulin missed Canada’s last two games against the U.S. and Finland due to a lower-body injury sustained against the Czech Republic on Monday. After Canada’s practice on Friday, Poulin described the injury as “a little tweak” to her knee, but said it “is getting better.”

“It did hurt, still hurts, but it’s part of it,” Poulin said Friday. “Happy with where I’m at today. Obviously, skated yesterday, skated today. … To get back on the ice with that team is truly special.”

Poulin was eased back into the game with 12:41 of ice time. She made the most of her minutes, though, with a full-speed backcheck to break up a high-danger chance in the first period. Then, in the final five minutes, Poulin scored her first goal of the tournament and the 18th of her career, which tied Hockey Hall of Fame forward Hayley Wickenheiser for the most goals at the Olympics.

“It’s huge,” said head coach Troy Ryan about Poulin’s return. “I don’t think there’s anybody in this event that I’d want back in our lineup more than Poulin.”

Canada’s next game will be the Olympic semifinals on Feb. 16.

Marie-Philip Poulin’s return

At Friday’s practice, head coach Troy Ryan said he initially anticipated Poulin would skate in a non-contact jersey. But after extended conversations with the team’s medical staff, she was cleared to be a full participant. That Poulin was able to return less than a week after a heavy hit by Czech forward Kristýna Kaltounková is a testament to the work Canada’s captain does behind the scenes.

“She trains like nobody else,” said Ryan. “So she puts herself in these situations where she can rebound from situations like this and still find ways to contribute and have an impact.”

A new-look top line

Canada has tinkered a lot with their lines, at times out of necessity with Poulin out, and rolled out a star-studded trio on Saturday: Daryl Watts, Sarah Fillier and Poulin.

Ryan said Canada entered the tournament wanting to keep those three spread out in the top six to give the team a bit more depth at the forward position. But with the line of Emily Clark, Blayre Turnbull and Laura Stacey clicking — and producing with four goals in the tournament — Ryan felt Canada could load up its top line as the tournament transitions to the knockout stage.

Before the game, Poulin called Watts and Fillier “dynamic” with unbelievable skill.

“They see each other very well on that ice,” she said. “Game after game, they’re just getting better, and they’re just getting that connection together, and it’s been great to see.”

Fillier has been dangerous in Milan. She’s a naturally gifted distributor but also has a quick release and is tied for the co-lead in goals (3) for the Canadians.

Germany makes history

German goalie Sandra Abstrieter made 38 saves to keep the game relatively close. In the third period, Franziska Feldmeier made history, scoring the first-ever goal by a German against Canada in the 10th meeting between the two countries.

It was the first goal that No. 2 netminder Emerance Maschmeyer allowed in a major international competition, dating back to the 2024 world championship quarterfinal versus Sweden.