Canada’s Marie-Philip Poulin finalist for the Patty Kazmaier award

COLORADO SPINGS, Colo. – Canada’s golden goalscorer Marie-Philip Poulin is a finalist for the award that goes to the top female hockey player in NCAA Division 1 hockey.

The 23-year-old Boston University forward joins Minnesota’s Hannah Brandt and Boston College’s Alex Carpenter as the three finalists for the Patty Kazmaier award.

The winner will be announced March 21 at the Women’s Frozen Four tournament at the University of Minnesota.

Poulin, from Beauceville, Que., scored the equalizer with a minute remaining and the overtime goal in a 3-2 win over the U.S. in last year’s Olympic women’s hockey final.

She also scored both of Canada’s goals in a 2-0 win over the Americans to win Olympic gold in 2010.

Poulin, a senior and the Terriers captain, ranks among the top 10 in the NCAA in points, goals, assists, points per game and faceoff percentage.

Clarkson’s Jamie Lee Rattray of Kanata, Ont., was the Patty Kazmaier Award winner last year.

Vicki Bendus of Wasaga Beach, Ont. (2010), Sarah Vaillancourt of Sherbrooke, Que., (2008), Sara Bauer of St. Catharines, Ont. (2006) and Winnipeg’s Jennifer Botterill (2001, 2003) are the other Canadian winners of the award.