Canada won the gold medal for the fifth time in women's ice hockey ©Getty Images

The women's ice hockey title returned to Canada for a fifth time following a tense finish to their final at the Wukesong Arena against rivals the United States, ending the tournament at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games.

Canada regained their top spot on the podium - after losing to the Americans in overtime in 2018 - by ending the game with a 3-2 victory.

Captain Marie-Philip Poulin was crucial to her nation's success, scoring twice; but the leaders came under pressure from the US in the second portion of the game.

Sarah Nurse finished top of the standings in the tournament on scoring leaders points with five goals and 13 assists - her final goal being the opener in the final, within eight minutes of the first period.

Captain Poulin made it 2-0 before the first period had ended and got her second during the second period thanks to assists from Brianne Jenner as well as Nurse.

Although the momentum was in favour of the Canadians, the US gave them a fright.

Their first goal came near the end of the second period, 35 seconds after American defender Megan Keller was given a two-minute penalty for holding an opponent.

Hilary Knight scored from a Hannah Brandt assist to get the US on the scoresheet.

Although the Americans took a while to find their second, it eventually came with less than a minute to go when Amanda Kessel was teed up by Abby Roque and Alex Carpenter.

Marie-Philip Poulin was pivotal to her team's victory, scoring two goals ©Getty Images
Marie-Philip Poulin was pivotal to her team's victory, scoring two goals ©Getty Images

However, an equaliser would not come, meaning Canada claimed the gold.

In yesterday's bronze medal match, it was a one-sided affair as Finland defeated Switzerland 4-0.

Viivi Vainikka gave the Finns the lead in the first period, set up by Noora Tulus and Elisa Holopainen.

In the second period nothing eventful occurred, with the closest to a goal coming from Swiss player Lena Marie Lutz, who missed a one-on-one with goaltender Anni Keisala, after sifting through a complacent defence.

But the floodgates opened in the third period, with Susanna Tapani, Nelli Laitinen and Michelle Karvinen all scoring, and stopped any chance of Switzerland getting back into the game.

Jenner was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, and was joined on the all-star team by team-mates Poulin, Nurse and Claire Thompson.

Jenni Hiirikoski from Finland and Czech goaltender Klara Peslarova were named in the team too.