Canada’s Marie-Philip Poulin exits game after taking hit by Czech Republic’s Kaltounková

MILAN — Canadian star Marie-Philip Poulin left Monday’s group-stage game — one night before a highly anticipated showdown against the arch-rival United States — after taking a hard hit by Czech Republic’s Kristyna Kaltounková during a puck battle along the boards.

Kaltounková — the PWHL’s leading scorer as a 23-year-old rookie for the New York Sirens — drilled her shoulder into Poulin, sending her crashing into the boards. Poulin lay prone on the ice for a moment before getting to her knees, grimacing in obvious pain as the two teams skirmished up the ice. Poulin got up on her own, wincing as she headed to the bench. She took one faceoff on the ensuing power play before going back to the locker room.

Poulin returned to the bench to a big cheer at the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena and watched the rest of the first period with her teammates. She did not return for the second.

Poulin is the consensus best player in women’s hockey, a five-time Olympian, and Canada’s captain. She’s one goal away from tying Canadian Hayley Wickenheiser’s record for most goals in the Olympics.

Kaltounková was given a minor penalty for an illegal hit, her first of two in the period. Canada didn’t score on that power-play opportunity, but got two goals in 39 seconds from Sarah Fillier and Laura Stacey shortly afterward.