The U.S. women’s national hockey team is golden once again. Team USA defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime on February 19, 2026, at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, reclaiming Olympic glory. The Americans trailed late in regulation before Hilary Knight scored a dramatic equalizer with under three minutes left. In sudden death overtime, Megan Keller fired home the winning goal to seal the victory. This marks USA’s third Olympic gold medal in women’s hockey history and their first since 2018 Pyeongchang.
USA Women’s Hockey vs Canada: The Greatest Olympic Rivalry
- The USA women’s hockey vs Canada rivalry is widely regarded as the greatest in international hockey.
- Since women’s hockey debuted at the 1998 Nagano Olympics, the two teams have met in nearly every gold medal match.
- Before Milan 2026, the U.S. had won gold only twice in 1998 and 2018.
- Thursday’s win gives Team USA its third Olympic gold, adding another chapter to this legendary rivalry.
Hilary Knight’s Late Equalizer Changes the Game
- For much of the gold medal game, Canada held a narrow 1-0 lead.
- It seemed the Canadians were minutes away from Olympic gold.
- Then came Hilary Knight.
- With less than three minutes left in regulation, Knight scored a clutch equalizer to make it 1-1 and force overtime.
- The goal stunned the arena and shifted momentum entirely in favor of Team USA.
- Knight later said she felt confident when Megan Keller made her move in overtime.
- The veteran forward described this squad as “the best U.S. hockey team I’ve ever been a part of.”
Megan Keller’s Golden Goal in Overtime
- Just over four minutes into overtime, Megan Keller received a pass from Taylor Heise.
- She skillfully maneuvered around Canadian defender Claire Thompson and slipped the puck past goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens.
- The puck hit the net. Game over.
- Team USA won 2-1 in overtime at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
- Keller called the moment “incredible,” praising the team’s four-year journey and unity. Players threw gloves and sticks in celebration as they rushed the ice.
Hilary Knight’s Historic Olympic Record
The 2026 Winter Olympics gold medal adds another milestone to Hilary Knight’s legendary career.
Knight’s Olympic Achievements,
- Second Olympic gold medal
- Five total Olympic medals
- Most Olympic medals by a U.S. women’s hockey player
- All-time U.S. Olympic leader in goals and points
Knight also revealed she proposed to U.S. speed skater Brittany Bowe just one day before the final, saying she was more nervous about the proposal than the gold medal game.
Background: USA Women’s Hockey in the Olympics
- Women’s hockey became an Olympic sport in 1998 at Nagano.
- Since then, USA and Canada have dominated the competition.
- The U.S. won gold in 1998, then again in 2018 in a dramatic shootout against Canada.
- The 2026 Winter Olympics gold in Milan is historic because it ends an eight-year wait and reinforces USA’s strength in women’s hockey.
- Going undefeated throughout the tournament adds to the significance of the victory.
Question
Q. Who scored the overtime winning goal for USA in the 2026 Winter Olympics final?
A) Hilary Knight
B) Megan Keller
C) Taylor Heise
D) Kendall Coyne
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