The U.S. women’s hockey team dominated in Milan, piling up a 33-2 scoring margin, recording a shutout against Canada earlier in the tournament, and ultimately winning Olympic gold after an overtime thriller in the final.
The American squad dictated the story from the start, outscoring opponents 33-2 across the 2026 Winter Games. They even notched a 5-0 shutout of Canada at one point, a rare and emphatic result against their longtime rival. That level of control set expectations high for the medal rounds.
The gold-medal game, however, turned into a tense, tightly contested affair that didn’t mirror the earlier blowout. Regulation finished 1-1 as both teams traded chances and tightened defensively in the third period. The match eventually opened up in 3-on-3 overtime, where the decisive moment arrived.
In Hilary Knight’s last Olympics, she came up clutch yet again.
Veteran defenseman Megan Keller scored the golden goal in 3-on-3 overtime Thursday as the United States women’s hockey team won Olympic gold by beating archrival Canada 2-1.
“If you had to play against her and practice against her, Megan Keller can really do it all,” veteran defenseman Lee Stecklein said. “To see that move under pressure like that, just incredible.”
That moment wouldn’t have been possible without Knight, who deflected a shot from defenseman Laila Edwards with the goalie pulled for the game-tying goal with 2:04 remaining in the third period to give life to Team USA.
 “I remember [coach John Wroblewski] drawing it up,” Knight said. “And I was like, ‘Yeah, this is our moment. Here we go.'”Â
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The U.S. roster featured a strong blend of veterans and breakout young players, and the 2026 Games represented a passing of the torch. Wisconsin seniors Caroline Harvey and Edwards, who had a combined 18 points and were the top two U.S. skaters in terms of ice time, are among the U.S. team members who have photos from their childhood posing with Knight.Â
The United States gave up only two goals in the tournament, tying the 2006 and 2010 Canada teams for the fewest allowed in a single Olympics by a women’s team.Â
U.S. goalie Aerin Frankel made 30 saves, some spectacular, but didn’t get the offensive support as Team USA continually missed opportunities in regulation until Knight capitalized.Â
The ending was a blend of veteran savvy and clutch finishing, with Megan Keller producing the match-winner under the brightest possible pressure. That goal capped a tense finish and sealed a 2-1 victory in overtime, a result that felt earned after a tournament of near-total dominance. The team’s structure and depth showed up when it mattered most.
Defense and goaltending were the backbone of the run; the Americans allowed just two goals in the whole event, matching the stingiest Olympic defenses on record. Aerin Frankel’s 30-save performance in the final included several high-difficulty stops that kept the team in the game. When offense was scarce in regulation, the defensive posture and timely veteran plays created the openings needed late.
Veterans like Hilary Knight provided leadership and key plays, while younger skaters pushed the pace and tied into the team’s identity. Players such as Caroline Harvey and Laila Edwards logged heavy minutes and contributed offensively, illustrating the roster’s balance. That mix made the 2026 Games feel like both an affirmation of established stars and a preview of future core contributors.
Photographs from the rink captured the rush of the final seconds and the sheer emotion that followed Keller’s goal. Those images underline how rare it is to combine tournament-long dominance with the drama of a sudden-death finish against your fiercest rival. The visual record matches the story on the scoresheet: command for most of the event, drama at the close.
Total victory. The Americans left Milan with gold and a tournament stat line that will be talked about for years. Their defense, timely offense, and veteran leadership created a perfect storm for success.
The U.S. men’s hockey team plays this afternoon, and the momentum from the women’s achievement will be a storyline heading into that game. Energy and expectation are high after the women brought home the top prize, and fans will be watching to see if the men can match that spark on the ice.
