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Griffin Missant
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Both the United States and Canada remain at the top of women’s hockey, and it showed when they clashed for gold.
The rivalry between the USA and Canada is regarded as one of the most intense in Olympic history, fueled by their longstanding dominance, multiple gold-medal encounters, and their fierce competition, especially in ice hockey.
In an exciting conclusion at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, the United States edged out Canada 2–1 in overtime to win the women’s ice hockey gold medal.
The first period ended scoreless, as both teams played cautiously and defensively. Canada took a 1–0 lead early in the second period when Kristin O’Neill scored a short-handed breakaway goal, marking the first time Team USA was behind in the entire tournament.
With only 2:04 left in regulation and their goalie pulled, U.S. captain Hilary Knight redirected a shot to tie the game at 1–1. This goal made Knight the all-time leader in Olympic points (33) and goals (15) for U.S. women’s hockey.
During the 3-on-3 overtime, Megan Keller scored the golden goal, securing Team USA’s gold medal.
The Sporting News followed all the action in the storied rivalry where the United States battled Canada for gold.
MORE 2026 OLYMPICS: Live medal tracker | Viewer's guide | Day-by-day schedule
GOLDEN ONCE AGAIN 🇺🇸🦅 #WINTEROLYMPICS pic.twitter.com/aSztzbCIZ6
3:55 p.m.: GOLDEN GOAL! Megan Keller with a spectacular move buries the game-winning goal for the United States.
THE golden goal 🚨🇺🇸🚨🇺🇸 #WinterOlympicspic.twitter.com/OhzdMt0nxD
OVERTIME GOLD MEDAL GAME HOCKEY 🇺🇸 #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/lERJAizhJq
MORE USA WOMEN’S HOCKEY:
3:31 p.m.: The gold medal game could not be decided in regulation. The USA and Canada will now battle in a 20-minute sudden-death overtime period.
2:27 p.m.: GOAL! The USA ties the game, and who else but the captain for the Americans? Hilary Knight tips a shot from Laila Edwards.
THAT’S OUR CAPTAIN 🇺🇸 #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/P2qRApXvMx
3:26 p.m.: Aerin Franke has been pulled; the USA has one last chance to tie this game.
3:24 p.m.: The Americans are able to kill off the Canadian power play, but now need to bury a puck to tie this gold medal contest.
3:19 p.m.: Team USA looks out of sorts, seemingly balancing panic and desperation. Canada will once again go on the power play after a boarding call on Britta Curl.
3:13 p.m.: Just under 9 minutes to play, Team USA is desperately looking for a game-tying goal.
3:00 p.m.: Five minutes into the final period, and both goalies are being tested. Aerin Franke made another incredible save for the USA, while Ann-Renée Desbiens remains steady in the net for Canada.
2:30 p.m.: Aerin Frankel robs Team Canada of extending their lead to two. She keeps the USA in reach towards the end of the second period.
2:29 p.m.: The Americans continue to apply pressure, now outshooting Canada 16-14. Still, they have been unable to break Ann-Renée Desbiens in goal.
2:14 p.m.: The United States arguably played their best shift of the hockey game. Though they generated multiple opportunities. still the Americans remain scoreless.
2:08 p.m.: Team USA is now in a position they are unfamiliar with. Not only did they concede their first goal since the first game of the Olympics, but they also failed to score in the opening period for the first time in Milan.
2:06 p.m.: Not only is the US unable to capitalize on their man advantage, but they give up a shorthanded one to Canada.
2:04 p.m.: GOAL! Team Canada strikes first with a shorthanded goal by Kristin O’Neil.
Second period starts now, let’s gooooo 🇺🇸 #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/UrBKt86X0L
1:43 p.m.: The United States will get a brief power play before the opening period ends. Most of the advantage will be carried out in the second period.
1:40 p.m.: Once again, the USA kills off the Canadian player advantage.
1:37 p.m.: Joy Dunne is called for a trip and gives Canada another opportunity on the power play here in the opening period.
1:31 p.m.: Canada has applied good pressure in Team USA’s zone. Aerin Frankel has had to make some tough saves.
1:22 p.m.: Canada cannot capitalize on their advantage, though they nearly snuck one past Aerin Frankel. The USA has now killed 12 straight power plays at these Olympics.
1:20 p.m.: Team Canada will get the first power play of the game because the United States had too many players on the ice. Canada has the No. 1 power play in the Olympics.
1:17 p.m.: Both nations have generated dangerous opportunities, with the USA leading in shots on goal with 3. However, neither team has been able to strike first.
1:04 p.m.: Plenty of support from the USA men’s hockey team.
From here in Milan and from all the fans back home, let’s go, Team USA! 🇺🇸 #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/DZbQTVubLw
12:55 p.m.: The projected Team USA lineup for their gold medal game against Canada.
Gold medal game lines incominggg 🇺🇸#WinterOlympics game preview: https://t.co/D98mCtDmA8 pic.twitter.com/s8WY7sxJUn
12:53 p.m.: Some key notes ahead of today’s match between Team USA and Team Canada.
Your final set of #WinterOlympics game notes 👀
Gold medal game preview: https://t.co/D98mCtCOKA pic.twitter.com/jr9VQlz1SL
12:45 p.m.: Safe to say these teams need no added motivation in this gold medal showdown.
Four-time Olympian Kendall Coyne Schofield knows exactly what a gold medal game brings, and Team USA is ready for the moment.
Undefeated. Record-setting. One game for gold.
And you have just enough time before puck drop to read up on it! https://t.co/rjYG6EHc1I pic.twitter.com/LaGG0wXRXk
MORE USA-CANADA NEWS:
The puck will drop between the United States and Canada at 1:10 p.m. ET from Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Thursday.
Tuesday’s game between the USA and Canada will be broadcast on NBC and USA Network and live-streamed on Peacock.
Here’s a look at the remaining schedule for the Olympic women’s hockey tournament in Milan.
Griffin Missant joined The Sporting News in 2025 as a fantasy football intern. He graduated from Grand Valley State University, where he covered the Lakers football program. He has also worked for Sleeper and the Fantasy Trade Room. He has played fantasy for over a decade, and has been passionate about fantasy football ever since.