Team USA wins gold over Canada in overtime thriller for women’s hockey at the Winter Olympics
Team USA defeated Canada with a stunning 2-1 overtime victory in the game 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games to take home their third gold medal in women’s ice hockey.
After going down 1-0 in the third period, the US tied things up late Megan Keller scored the game-winner in overtime to avenge a loss in the final four years ago. This was the seventh gold medal game, and fifth in a row, between two of hockey’s powerhouses. It was also the third US-Canada showdown to go to overtime.
Team USA captain Hilary Knight extended his final match at the Olympics by sending it into overtime tied at 1-all.
Knight bent a Laila Edwards shot past Ann-Renee Desbiens with 2:04 left in regulation and the US went 6-on-5 with goaltender Aerin Frankel clearing another attacker. The goal was the 15th of the Olympics, the most in team history.
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“This team is very determined. Never give up. Always ready to fight and go to war,” Knight said. “It’s just a testament to the preparation of our team and the love we have in that room, and how we found a way to get the job done at the end of the night.”
The sides were playing 3-on-3 to end the game when fans exchanged chants of “USA!” and “Ca-na-da!” Keller got the winner on a backhander 4:07 into overtime, breaking down the left wing and past Claire Thompson, driving to the net and beating Ann-Renee Desbiens over her right pad for a heart-warming finish.
“I’m speechless,” Keller said. “This is an amazing feeling. I love these girls so much. This team is perfect for me. Just the effort and faith that we have kept in this four-year journey is something very special.”
Frankel stopped 30 shots.
Canada had been leading since Kristin O’Neill scored a shorthanded goal less than a minute into the second period, ending the US shutout streak at 352 minutes, 17 seconds. Desbiens and Frankel made the saves in a back-and-forth game that was more competitive than the rivals’ first meeting in the first round, when the US defeated Canada 5-0.
The Americans cruised through the tournament, outscoring opponents 33-2.
“We went through tough times,” said Canadian captain Marie-Philip Poulin. “Letting them know this doesn’t explain them. I’m proud of them. They showed up. Sadly they lost in overtime but they kept their heads up because it’s a privilege to be on their side.”
A USA team featuring a mix of experience and talented, fast-paced youth brought to bear the vision that coach John Wroblewski instilled in the team four years ago, months after the US lost the gold medal game to Canada in Beijing.
“In my opinion, I think this is the best women’s hockey team has ever seen,” said Kelly Pannek, noting how the Americans overcame adversity against their fiercest rival.
“I guess that’s part of being a champion, right?” Pannek said. “We knew they would respond the way they did. And they gave us everything.”
The US and Canada have met in all but one Olympic final — the 2006 Turin Games won by Canada — since women’s hockey debuted at the 1998 Nagano Games. The loss gives Canada its third silver medal in the event.
Knight, 36, has announced that this will be her record fifth and final Games for the US, with a chance to add a second gold medal to go along with her three silvers. The match was played a day after Knight proposed to US speed skater Brittany Bowe.
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Defending Olympic champion Canadians showed signs of aging in the tournament where they lost 5-0 to the Americans in the first round, then went on to beat Switzerland 2-1 in the final.
The loss to the Americans was the most devastating and also the first time Canadian women were shut out of the Olympics.
This was seen as the last hurray of their aging core led by Poulin, known as “Captain Clutch,” who had missed two games – including the loss to the US – with a right knee injury. He declined to discuss his Olympic future.
Meanwhile, many of his teammates are frustrated by this result.
“It’s hard to process right now,” said 37-year-old defender Jocelyne Larocque. “We always believed we could win. I love this team. I love this team. I’m proud of everyone.”
Canada overcame questions about its age and recent performance by outscoring the US 8-6 in the first half with O’Neill converting Laura Stacey’s pass on a 2-on-1 break. The Canadians kept pressing their attack and had more chances in overtime.
With one minute left before Keller’s goal, Sarah Fillier went up the right wing only to have her shot stopped by Frankel, the puck landed in the open area.
“Overtime. The first goal wins. You have to bury it when you get the chance,” said Filler. “It’s tough. You want to win a gold medal with that team. It’s a special team, a lot of veterans.”
The Americans extended their winning streak against Canada to eight. It started with two wins at the world championships in April, including the gold medal match. The US then swept the four-game series by a combined score of 26-7.
Earlier, Alina Muller scored 9:09 into overtime to score her second goal to win the bronze medal as Switzerland beat Sweden 2-1. Muller also scored Switzerland’s key goal in a 4-3 win over Sweden in 2014.
