Team USA Women’s Hockey Beats Canada, Brings Home Gold In Overtime Thriller

In a heart-pounding conclusion to the women’s hockey tournament at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics on Thursday, Team USA clinched their third Olympic gold medal by defeating arch-rival Canada in a 2-1 overtime thriller.

The game was largely a defensive battle, with both teams trading physical play and limited scoring opportunities. Canada struck first in the second period when Kristen O’Neill capitalized on a shorthanded opportunity, snapping USA’s impressive shutout streak in the knockout stages at over three hours and 52 minutes.

As the clock wound down in the third period, Team USA faced a 1-0 deficit and pulled their goalkeeper for an extra attacker with about two minutes and 30 seconds remaining in regulation. The move paid off spectacularly when captain Hilary Knight, in her fifth and final Olympics, deflected a shot from Laila Edwards at the blue line past Canada’s goalkeeper with just 2:04 left on the clock.

In addition to advancing the game to overtime, Knight’s score counted as her 15th goal and 33rd point, surpassing U.S. Olympic records in both categories.

Next came a frantic three-on-three overtime period, which ended at the 4:04 minute-mark when defender Megan Keller broke the deadlock with a backhand shot. With the sudden death gold medal win in-hand, Team USA then stormed the ice and mobbed Keller in celebration.

This marked Team USA’s first overtime gold medal win in women’s hockey since the event’s inception in 1998.

GOLDEN GOAL!!! 🦅🥇pic.twitter.com/Z5xrfedFfu
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 19, 2026

“We knew we had it in us, and [Hilary Knight] came up big with that tying goal,” Keller said post-game. “I think just a lot of belief in our group.”

Knight was surprised when she was informed about the records her game-tying goal set in her own post-game interview. “No way!” a surprised Knight said, becoming excited over the news, adding, “I’m just happy to have a gold medal. Oh my gosh, this feels amazing.”

The gold medal win brings the U.S. tally to three in women’s hockey (1998, 2018, 2026), while Canada holds five titles. The rivalry continues to define women’s hockey, with seven of eight Olympic finals featuring the neighboring nations.