Women's Olympic Ice Hockey
2026 Olympic
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Canada has beaten Switzerland 2-1 in the semifinals of the women’s hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics, advancing to Thursday’s gold medal game against the United States.
Marie-Philip Poulin scored twice in the second period, becoming the all-time leader in career goals in women's hockey at the Olympics in the process. Rahel Enzler scored for the Swiss early in the third period.
The gold medal game will pit Canada against the U.S. for the seventh time in eight editions of the women’s hockey tournament.
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GO FURTHER
Canada women’s hockey team advances to Olympic gold medal game as Poulin makes history
There is a reason Marie-Philip Poulin is called “Captain Clutch!” She raises her game in the big moments, particularly in gold medal games.
This will be Poulin’s fifth gold medal game she will play in. In the previous four, she has scored at least one goal.
Extraordinary stuff.
Switzerland will play in the bronze medal game in women's hockey for the third time, seeking their second medal. They beat Sweden for the bronze in 2014, and lost to Finland in 2022.
Below are the full semifinal results for women’s hockey. A dominant performance from Team USA, once again showing why they are the favorites.
Canada held on, surviving a decent test from Switzerland.
This gold medal game between Canada and USA will be a rematch of their preliminary round meeting.
USA blanked Canada 5-0 in that contest. Hannah Bilka scored two goals for Team USA while Caroline Harvey, Kirsten Simms and Laila Edwards each added one.
The first of Marie-Philip Poulin's two goals today gave her sole possession of the all-time record for career goals in the Olympics.
Renata Fast led all skaters for Canada against Switzerland with 24:12. She was one of four skaters in this semifinal to notch over 20 minutes of ice time.
Marie-Philip Poulin led all skaters with seven total shots. “Captain Clutch” delivering again.
This is the eighth edition of women's hockey at the Olympics, and Canada has reached the gold medal game in all eight. Here's how they fared in the previous seven finals.
This is the fifth consecutive gold medal game between Canada and USA in women’s hockey.
In Vancouver, Sochi and Beijing (the last Winter Olympics), Canada was victorious.
In 2018, Team USA outlasted Canada in a shootout to capture gold.
Here are the final stats of Canada’s victory over Switzerland:
Saves:
Shots on goal:
PIM:
PP time:
It came down the wire, but we're getting the eighth gold-medal game between the North American superpowers. Canada wins 2-1 behind another superhero effort by Marie-Philip Poulin. We got some non-traditional five-on-five hockey to end it — Canada on the power play, Switzerland with the extra attacker. Credit goes to the Swiss, who kept it close and will play Sweden for bronze.
P3 0:00 – Canada 2, Switzerland 1
That does it! Canada survives Switzerland in the women’s hockey semifinal. Marie-Philip Poulin’s two goals give Canada the win.
They advance to the gold medal game, where they will take on Team USA.
What a moment that is going to be.
P3 0:59 – Canada 2, Switzerland 1
Braendli pulled again. Switzerland even strength with Canada.
Canada one minute to the gold medal game.
P3 2:18 – Canada 2, Switzerland 1
Just over two minutes to go as Switzerland pulls Braendli for an extra attacker.
But as soon as they do that, Ivana Wey commits an illegal hit penalty.
So Canada to the power play. Costly for Switzerland since they need to score to tie.
Switzerland deserves credit for hanging around, but Canada has gift-wrapped a few chances throughout — including a few moments ago, on a turnover by Emma Maltais — and the Swiss haven't been able to convert. That's the the talent disparity showing itself; they just don't have the speed to consistently win puck races.
P3 5:00 – Canada 2, Switzerland 1
Five minutes remain. Canada has a one-goal lead over Switzerland.
A spot in the gold medal game is on the line. When Switzerland will pull their goalie for the extra player remains to be seen.
Fun finish ahead here at Santagiulia!
For the last few minutes, Canada's skaters have been content to gain the red line and dump the puck into Switzerland's zone. Can't say I blame them. There's a fine line between passivity and responsible play, and it feels like they're on the correct side of it.
P3 6:53 – Canada 2, Switzerland 1
“Let’s Go Canada!’ chants remerge inside Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.
Canada maintaining some offensive zone time the last couple of minutes.
Sure would be nice for Canada to have an insurance goal as the time winds down!
The Marie-Philip Poulin-Sarah Fillier-Daryl Watts line just kept the puck in Switzerland's zone for more than a minute. Helpful stuff.
P3 9:48 – Canada 2, Switzerland 1
Ten minutes remain in this game. Canada tries to hold onto a one-goal lead against Switzerland.
Winner goes to the gold medal game to take on the Americans.
The tension builds inside Santagiulia Ice Hockey ARena.