The image was taken by Matt Slocum of the Associated Press. It shows the Canadian women’s Olympic hockey team gliding joyfully on the ice after they beat the United States.
Marie-Philip Poulin is Canada’s captain. As celebration pinballs cross their faces, behind her, there are smiles that crisscross every frame. Every face expresses it differently, but together the energy of joy jumps off the frame.
Slocum said he was trying to “capture the joy” of Canada’s victory over the United States for gold.
Slocum, a Philadelphia-based Slocum states that she knew Marie-Philip Poulin was going to be an important part of the story after scoring two goals during the game. To get onto the ice to take photos for the medals ceremony, photographers had to pass through the penalty box. I was at the front of the line, but then I wasn’t. To get good photos, I had to be in the second row.
He says that it turned out to be a positive thing. It was a good thing that Poulin skewed past carrying her medal, flowers, and the Canadian flag. Her teammates were able to fill in the background at a higher angle, and their joy was reflected in their faces.