2026 Winter Olympics: U.S. women’s hockey team finishes incredible run, takes gold with OT win over Canada
The U.S. ended its brilliant run of play in Italy with a gold medal win over Canada
By
Austin Nivison
Feb 19, 2026
at
4:30 pm ET
•
1 min read
Getty Images
The U.S. has capped off its dominant run at the 2026 Winter Olympics in dramatic fashion. Thanks to Megan Keller, Team USA defeated rival Canada, 2-1, in a thrilling overtime win for the gold medal.
Just over four minutes into the overtime period, Keller deked her way around Canadian Claire Thompson and guided a backhand shot over the right pad of Ann-Renee Desbiens to deliver gold for the Americans.
A GOLDEN GOAL FOR GOLD! pic.twitter.com/oLDfElGnI9
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 19, 2026
It didn’t even look like the game would get to overtime for a while as Canada held a 1-0 lead for the majority of the final two periods. A shorthanded goal from Kristin O’Neill got Canada on the board first, but the U.S. got a clutch play from a legend in the dying moments of regulation.
Captain Hilary Knight tied the game with 2:03 left in regulation, a goal that gave her the U.S. women’s career records for Olympic goals and points. Knight got to the front of the crease off the face-off, and she tipped a Laila Edwards point shot past Desbiens to even the score.
American goaltender Aerin Frankel provided some clutch saves to keep her team within striking distance. Frankel turned away 30 of the 31 Canadian shots she faced, and she had to stand on her head at times when Canada was pressing to extend its lead in the second period.
Team USA has now won the gold medal in two of the last three Olympics, and it extends its winning streak against Canada in all international play to eight games.
