USA Defeats Canada to Claim Women’s Ice Hockey Gold at 2026 Winter Olympics
The United States women’s ice hockey team has triumphed at the 2026 Winter Olympics, defeating Canada 2-1 in a thrilling overtime match. This victory marks the U.S. team’s third Olympic gold and their first since the 2018 Games held in Pyeongchang.
Key Moments from the Final
The match took place at Milan’s Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Canada’s Kristin O’Neill opened the scoring in the second period, giving her team a temporary lead. This goal ended the U.S. team’s impressive 352-minute streak without conceding a goal, which had begun earlier in the tournament against the Czech Republic.
With the clock winding down, U.S. captain Hilary Knight scored her 15th Olympic goal, sending the game into sudden-death overtime. This marked the third time in four Olympic finals that overtime has been required. Four minutes into the three-on-three overtime, Megan Keller secured the win by skillfully maneuvering past a Canadian defender and scoring against goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens.
Impact of the Victory
Celebrations erupted as the U.S. team celebrated their hard-fought victory. “I’m lost for words. This is an incredible feeling,” Keller expressed after the game. She emphasized the effort and dedication of the team throughout their four-year journey.
Historical Context of the Rivalry
- Canada has won five Olympic titles in women’s ice hockey.
- Since the sport’s Olympic inclusion in 1998, Canada and the United States have faced each other in nearly every final, excluding the 2006 Turin Games.
This match followed Canada’s heavy defeat to the U.S. earlier in the tournament, where they lost 5-0—marking their worst Olympic result in 28 years. The U.S. team’s dominating performance throughout the tournament led them to this thrilling conclusion.
Upcoming Events
Earlier on the same day, Switzerland secured the bronze medal by defeating Sweden 2-1. The men’s ice hockey final is set for Sunday, featuring Canada against Finland, while the United States will face Slovakia in the semifinals on Friday.
