For the first six games of the 2026 women’s Olympic hockey tournament, Team USA could do no wrong. Against the best competition in the world, they never trailed and at no game felt in doubt. They were in complete control every time they touched the ice.
But with just over two minutes left in the gold medal game on Thursday, the U.S. found themselves down by a goal against a team they had already soundly defeated 5-0 a week prior. Canada was a few minutes away from pulling off the upset, spoiling the Americans’ undefeated tournament and claiming gold.
With the clock ticking and the pressure to deliver perfection intensifying, team USA showed what they are made of. With their backs against the wall for the first time since arriving in Milan, instead of crumbling, the team rallied to deliver an unforgettable comeback.
Even with time dwindling, the U.S. – led by 36-year-old veteran captain Hillary Knight playing in her final Olympics – never panicked. With the goalie pulled for the extra attacker, Knight redirected a wrist shot from the blue line to tie the game 1-1 with two minutes remaining. The goal stunned the Canadians as much as it excited the Americans. Knight’s tying goal marked a fitting end to a remarkable Olympic career. The equalizer made her Team USA’s all-time Olympic leader in goals (15) and points (33) to go along with her second gold medal.
In the sudden death three-on-three overtime, alternate captain Megan Keller took a stretch pass from forward Taylor Heise and weaved through the defense to set up a clear angle for a backhand shot that squeaked into the net, sealing gold for the U.S. The goal was an incredible move that solidified an incredible run.
The immediate reactions told the entire story. The Canadian players lowered their heads in shock and disbelief. They were minutes away, only for it to slip away in the final moments.
The pure jubilation on the faces of the U.S. players as they stormed the ice to hug and celebrate, and the visible tears from head coach John Wroblewski, were a clear indication of the obvious joy of winning gold but also the satisfaction of revenge. The 2-1 win in Milan could finally, after four long years, avenge a 3-2 gold medal heartbreaking loss to Canada in Beijing.
The win Thursday marks U.S. women’s hockey’s third Olympic gold medal after winning the tournament in 2018 and 1998.
But this year’s performance in Milan might be the most impressive of the three. Team USA outscored their opponents 31-1 in their first six tournament games and was never tied after the first period until they faced Canada in the finals.
In the elimination round, the team’s semifinal game against Sweden was expected to be a more challenging matchup. The Swedes also clobbered their competition in the preliminary round, going 4-0 with a plus-16 goal differential against Group B teams. But the step-up in competition proved to be too much, and the U.S. cruised to a 5-0 win.
Lost in the excitement over the tournament’s dramatic ending was the unheralded play of U.S. goaltender Aerin Frankel. Frankel gave up just two total goals between the pipes in the five games she started, and made some crucial saves on a night she allowed one goal on 31 shots.
Like the many Olympic tournaments before, Team USA entered the event gold or bust. And like every Olympic tournament since 2010, it was Canada versus the U.S. in the gold medal matchup, with one goal being the difference between glory and disappointment. In 2026 in Milan, it was Team USA’s poise and determination that made a life-changing difference.