USA vs Canada Women's Hockey Gold Medal Game Past History & Winners
The USA vs. Canada rivalry in women's Olympic ice hockey has delivered some of the most intense and close contests in the sport's history, particularly in gold medal games. Their upcoming showdown for gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan on Thursday, February 19 (1:10 p.m. ET on USA Network/Peacock), continues this tradition—despite the U.S. dominating their preliminary-round matchup 5-0 (an outlier in their Olympic encounters).
Historical Gold Medal Game Record
Canada holds a 4-2 edge in the six previous Olympic gold medal meetings between the two powers (out of seven total women's hockey Olympics, they've met in the final six times).
Canada has won five of the seven golds overall, with the U.S. claiming two.
Here are the results:
1998 (Nagano): USA 3-1 Canada
The U.S. won the inaugural women's Olympic gold in dominant fashion.
2002 (Salt Lake City): Canada 3-2 USA
Canada snapped the U.S. streak in a tight contest.
2010 (Vancouver): Canada 2-0 USA
Hosts Canada shut out the Americans on home ice.
2014 (Sochi): Canada 3-2 USA (OT)
Dramatic finish: USA led 2-0 late, but Brianne Jenner cut it to 2-1, Marie-Philip Poulin tied it in the final minute, and Poulin won it in OT while Hilary Knight sat in the penalty box.
2018 (PyeongChang): USA 3-2 Canada (shootout)
Both Knight and Poulin scored. Monique Lamoureux tied it in the third, and her sister Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson scored the decisive shootout goal for the U.S.
2022 (Beijing): Canada 3-2 USA
Poulin scored twice for a 3-0 lead; Knight replied, and Amanda Kessel made it 3-2 with 13 seconds left, but Canada held on for the repeat gold.
The last four gold medal games (2010–2022) were decided by one goal, with three ending 3-2 (including one in OT and one in a shootout).Key Stars in the SpotlightMarie-Philip Poulin (Canada): The all-time leading Olympic goal scorer in women's hockey, Poulin has been clutch in big moments, including multiple game-winners against the U.S.
Hilary Knight (USA): Tied for the U.S. Olympic record in goals and points; she's a perennial threat and could add to her medal haul, potentially becoming the most decorated American in Olympic hockey history with another podium finish.
2026 Context and ExpectationsThis marks the seventh time these arch-rivals meet for Olympic gold. The U.S. enters as heavy favorites after outscoring opponents 31-1 in the tournament (including five straight shutouts and goalie Aerin Frankel's historic three consecutive shutouts). Their 5-0 preliminary win over Canada was the first Olympic shutout ever against the defending champs. However, history shows these finals are rarely blowouts—expect intensity, especially with stars like Poulin and Knight likely deciding the outcome.Canada seeks to defend their 2022 title and extend their Olympic dominance, while the U.S. aims for revenge and their third gold. This rematch promises another chapter in one of sport's greatest rivalries!
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