Team USA Secures Spot in Gold Medal Match
The United States women's ice hockey team delivered a dominant performance on Monday, February 16, 2026, defeating Sweden 5-0 in the semifinals of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. This decisive victory propels Team USA into the highly anticipated gold-medal game, where they will face their perennial rivals, Canada.
The semifinal contest took place at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Goaltender Aerin Frankel was a standout, stopping 21 shots to record her third shutout of the tournament. The American offense saw goals from five different players: Cayla Barnes, Taylor Heise, Abbey Murphy, Kendall Coyne Schofield, and Hayley Scamurra. Murphy, Coyne Schofield, and Scamurra notably scored on consecutive shots within a 2-minute, 47-second span late in the second period, effectively sealing the victory.
Undefeated Path to the Final
The U.S. team has maintained an impressive undefeated record throughout the tournament, boasting six wins and zero losses. Their offensive prowess has been evident, outscoring opponents by a combined total of 31-1. Furthermore, the team's defense has been exceptional, extending their shutout streak to over 331 minutes, marking five consecutive games without allowing a goal. This dominant run has positioned them as strong contenders for the Olympic title.
Anticipated Gold Medal Showdown
The gold-medal game is set for Thursday, February 19, at 7:10 p.m. CET (1:10 p.m. ET), once again at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Their opponent, Canada, secured their spot by defeating Switzerland 2-1 in the other semifinal match. This upcoming final marks the seventh time these two North American powerhouses will clash for Olympic gold in women's ice hockey.
Historical Context of a Fierce Rivalry
The rivalry between the United States and Canada in women's ice hockey is one of the most storied in Olympic history. Since women's ice hockey became an Olympic sport in 1998, these two nations have met in all but one gold-medal game. The U.S. has claimed two Olympic gold medals (1998, 2018), while Canada has won five. Key players for Team USA include captain Hilary Knight, who is participating in her fifth Olympic Games, and alternate captains Alex Carpenter and Megan Keller. Head Coach John Wroblewski leads the American squad.
2 Comments
Bella Ciao
They only beat Sweden 5-0? I was expecting double digits given their record.
Muchacha
The US team's dominance is impressive, especially their defensive streak. However, Canada always brings their A-game in the finals, so it will be a much tougher test.