USA Wins Third Olympic Women’s Hockey Gold: Megan Keller’s OT Heroics Beat Canada 2-1 in Milan Thriller.
United States Captures Third Olympic Gold in Women’s Hockey
Dramatic Overtime Winner Seals Victory Over Canada
Megan Keller scored the golden goal with a backhand shot 4:07 into overtime, giving the United States a thrilling 2-1 victory over Canada in the women’s ice hockey gold medal game at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Thursday night.The win marked Team USA’s third Olympic gold in women’s hockey—following their inaugural title at the 1998 Nagano Games and the 2018 triumph in PyeongChang—and extended their current winning streak against Canada to eight games.
Hilary Knight Forces Overtime with Record-Breaking Goal
American captain Hilary Knight, in her fifth and final Olympics, tied the game 1-1 with 2:04 remaining in regulation by tipping in Laila Edwards’ shot from the blue line. The goal was Knight’s 15th Olympic career goal and 33rd point overall, setting new U.S. all-time records in both categories.
Keller’s Heroic Backhand in 3-on-3 Overtime
Playing 3-on-3 in the extra frame, Keller broke up the left wing, powered past Claire Thompson, and drove to the net before beating Canadian goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens over her right pad with a precise backhander.“I’m lost for words,” Keller said after the game. “This is an incredible feeling. I love these girls so much. This group deserves it. Just the effort and the faith that we kept through this four-year journey is something very special.”Goaltending Excellence and Canada’s Lone GoalAerin Frankel made 30 saves for the United States, while Ann-Renee Desbiens stopped 31 shots for Canada. Kristen O’Neill scored Canada’s only goal—a short-handed tally 54 seconds into the second period—ending the Americans’ shutout streak of 5 hours, 52 minutes, and 17 seconds.
U.S. Dominance Throughout the Tournament
The United States entered the final undefeated (7-0), outscoring opponents 33-2 overall, including a commanding 5-0 preliminary-round win over Canada nine days earlier. They trailed for the first time in the entire Games when O’Neill scored but responded with composure and resilience.
Historic Rivalry Context
This was the seventh Olympic meeting between the two arch-rivals decided by one goal and the third to go beyond regulation. Canada won the previous overtime gold-medal clash in 2014 (3-2 on Marie-Philip Poulin’s goal in Sochi), while the U.S. claimed victory in a 2018 shootout (3-2).
Emotional Significance for Key Players
The game was a fitting finale to one of sport’s greatest rivalries. Canada’s veteran core, led by “Captain Clutch” Marie-Philip Poulin, showed grit and nearly forced a historic comeback. The Americans, under coach John Wroblewski, featured a revamped roster with only 11 returnees from the 2022 silver-medal team and seven current college players.Laila Edwards, the first Black woman to represent the United States in Olympic hockey, assisted on Knight’s tying goal and played a pivotal role throughout the tournament.
Final Medal Standings in Women’s Hockey
Gold: United States
Silver: Canada
This victory cements the U.S. women’s hockey team’s resurgence and adds another iconic moment to the rivalry. For full highlights, post-game interviews, and medal ceremony coverage, check Olympics.com or your local broadcaster. What an unforgettable finish to women’s hockey at Milano Cortina 2026
What date is the USA women's hockey playing for an Olympic gold medal?
The two best teams in women's Olympic hockey will compete for a gold medal on Thursday, Feb. 19.
What time is the final game of women's Olympic hockey? When does US women's hockey play for a gold medal?
Puck drop between the U.S. women's hockey team and their final opponent happens at 1:10 p.m. ET, Thursday, Feb. 19, from the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.
Who will the US women's hockey team play against?
The Americans will play against Canada or Switzerland, who face off in their semifinal game at 3:10 p.m. ET, Monday, Feb. 16.
What channel is the final USA women's hockey game Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026?
Coverage of the women's hockey gold final matchup will be aired on the USA Network. Check your local listings for specific channels.
Indianapolis audiences can find USA Network on Direct TV channel 242 and DISH channel 105.
You can find more Olympic coverage to Thursday's events on Peacock, NBC's subscription streaming service.
See USA women's hockey roster
Here is the full U.S. women's hockey roster for the Milano Cortina Olympics:
Forwards: Kirsten Simms; Kelly Pannek; Grace Zumwinkle; Hayley Scamurra; Britta Curl-Salemme; Hilary Knight; Tessa Janecke; Hannah Bilka; Joy Dunne; Alex Carpenter; Kendall Coyne Schofield; Taylor Heise; Abbey Murphy.
Goaltenders: Ava McNaughton; Aerin Frankel; Gwyneth Philips.
Defenders: Lee Stecklein; Cayla Barnes; Caroline Harvey; Megan Keller; Rory Guilday; Haley Winn; Laila Edwards.
Who is the USA women's hockey coach?
John Wroblewski has led the squad since August 2022. Under his leadership, the Americans have two golds and two silvers at IIHR Women's World Championships.
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