US Women’s Ice Hockey Team Wins Gold in Epic Overtime Thriller Against Canada

One of the most dramatic highlights of the 2026 Winter Olympics came in the women’s ice hockey gold medal game on February 19 at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. The United States defeated arch-rivals Canada 2-1 in overtime, claiming their third Olympic gold in the sport (following 1998 and 2018).

Canada struck first with a shorthanded goal by Kristin O’Neill early in the second period, giving them a 1-0 lead and ending the U.S.’s impressive shutout streak. The Americans dominated possession but faced a stout Canadian defense and goaltending.

In the dying minutes of regulation, U.S. captain Hilary Knight—the legendary forward—tied the game 1-1 with just 2:04 remaining. Pulling goalie Aerin Frankel for an extra attacker paid off as Knight deflected a shot to force overtime, also setting a new record for most Olympic goals by a women’s hockey player.

In the 3-on-3 sudden-death overtime, defender Megan Keller sealed the victory at 4:07. Collecting a long pass from Taylor Heise, Keller skated past a defender and buried a slick backhand past Canadian goalie Ann-Renee Desbiens for the golden goal.

The U.S. finished the tournament undefeated (7-0), outscoring opponents 33-2 overall—a dominant run reminiscent of their 1998 Nagano triumph. This USA vs Canada women’s hockey final lived up to the rivalry’s hype, delivering edge-of-your-seat excitement and a historic comeback.

Team USA celebrated wildly on the ice, with players donning gold medals in an emotional ceremony. This victory marks a sweet redemption after Canada’s 2022 Beijing gold.

Other Standout US Victories and Highlights from Milan Cortina 2026

Team USA has shone brightly across multiple disciplines:

• Figure Skating: Alysa Liu captured gold in women’s singles, ending a 24-year U.S. drought in the event (last won in 2002). Her performance combined technical brilliance and artistry under pressure.
• Speed Skating: Jordan Stolz added medals, including a silver in the men’s 1500m, contributing to strong U.S. showings on the oval.
• Other Medals: The U.S. women’s curling team advanced to semifinals with key wins, while athletes in cross-country skiing and freestyle events earned podium finishes.

As of February 20, 2026, the Winter Olympics medal table sees Norway leading, with the United States in strong contention (around 9 gold, 12 silver, 6 bronze for 27 total medals in recent updates), closely trailing or competing with host Italy.

Why the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina Are Unmissable

The Milano Cortina 2026 Games blend historic venues (Cortina d’Ampezzo from 1956) with modern Milan facilities, offering breathtaking Alpine backdrops and urban energy. Events continue through February 22, with more medals up for grabs in alpine skiing, biathlon, bobsleigh, and closing ceremonies.

Fans searching for 2026 Winter Olympics highlights, US women’s hockey gold, Milan Cortina results, or Team USA medals won’t be disappointed—this edition is packed with rivalries, records, and redemption stories.

Stay tuned for the final days of competition. Who will top the Olympic medal count? Root for your favorites as the Winter Olympics 2026 deliver more magic on ice and snow!

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