In a thrilling overtime victory, the United States women's ice hockey team reclaimed Olympic glory on Thursday, defeating Canada 2–1 at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games. The win marks the team's third Olympic gold, solidifying their place in the sport's most storied rivalry.
Canada initially dominated with a first-period goal by Kristin O’Neill, maintaining the lead until the final minutes of regulation. U.S. captain Hilary Knight electrified the crowd by deflecting a long-range shot to tie the game with just over two minutes remaining. Defender Megan Keller sealed the historic win in sudden-death overtime, charging solo to net the golden goal and ignite celebrations among American fans.
The victory adds another chapter to the decades-long U.S.-Canada rivalry, which has produced seven of the eight Olympic women’s hockey finals since the sport’s 1998 debut. The U.S. now holds three titles (1998, 2018, 2026), while Canada retains five. Analysts predict the rivalry will continue to drive global interest in women’s hockey as both teams prepare for future tournaments.
