Team USA defeated Canada in a stunning 2-1 overtime comeback win at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games to take home their third Olympic gold medal in women’s ice hockey.
After being down 1-0 headed into the third period, the U.S. tied things up late in the period and then Megan Keller scored the game-winner in overtime to avenge their loss in the final match from four years ago. This was the seventh gold medal match, and fifth in a row, between the two hockey powerhouses. It was also the third U.S.-Canada showdown to go to overtime.
Team USA captain Hilary Knight prolonged her final game at the Olympics by sending it to overtime tied 1-all.
Knight deflected Laila Edwards’ shot past Ann-Renee Desbiens with 2:04 left in regulation and the U.S. skating 6 on 5 with goaltender Aerin Frankel pulled for an extra attacker. The goal was her 15th at the Olympics, the most in team history.
“This team’s got so much resolve. Never quit. Always ready to fight and go to battle,” Knight said. “It’s just a testament to the preparation of our group and the love that we have in that room, and the way we found a way to get the job done at the end of the night.”
The sides were playing 3-on-3 to finish a game where fans alternated chants of “USA! and “Ca-na-da!” Keller secured the win on a backhander 4:07 into overtime, breaking up the left wing and pushing past Claire Thompson, driving to the net and beating Ann-Renee Desbiens over her right pad to spark an emotional and teary-eyed celebration.
“I’m lost for words,” Keller said. “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.”
