U.S. women's hockey beats Canada in overtime for Olympic gold

US women's hockey wins gold in overtime thriller

The United States women's hockey team defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime on Thursday to win the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. The victory ends Canada's two-Olympiad reign as champion and marks the first gold for the U.S. since 2018.

Forward Tessa Janecke scored the game-winning goal in the extra period, securing the dramatic win for a younger American roster. For much of the tightly contested final, Canada appeared poised to defend its title once again.

A new generation leads the American charge

This U.S. victory was fueled by a core of players who were not on the 2022 Olympic team. Key contributors like Janecke, Kirsten Simms, and Laila Edwards represent a significant roster turnover aimed at reclaiming the top spot on the podium.

The strategy paid off, overcoming a Canadian team that had dominated recent major tournaments. The win underscores a successful rebuilding effort by USA Hockey following its bronze medal finish at the 2022 Beijing Games.

Canada's dynasty finally meets its match

Canada entered the final having won the last two Olympic gold medals and the past four IIHF Women's World Championships. Their roster, featuring stalwarts like Marie-Philip Poulin and Natalie Spooner, was experienced and heavily favored.

Despite the loss, Canada's run established it as the premier program of the last decade. The team's core achievements during this era include:

• Gold medals at the 2022 and 2026 Winter Olympics
• Four consecutive IIHF Women's World Championship titles (2022-2025)
• A historic 59-game winning streak against all international competition

Goaltending duel defines a tense final

The championship game was a defensive battle, with both goaltenders delivering standout performances. American netminder Aerin Frankel made 27 saves, including several critical stops in the third period to force overtime.

On the other side, Canadian goalie Ann-Renée Desbiens was equally formidable, turning away 31 shots. The low scoreline highlighted the intensity and skill of the goaltending, which kept the game deadlocked until the final moment.

What the win means for women's hockey

This victory re-establishes the United States as a powerhouse and reignites the sport's most storied rivalry at the highest level. The back-and-forth nature of the competition—where the gold medal has changed hands in four of the last five Olympics—proves crucial for the sport's growth and visibility.

The thrilling overtime finish in Milan is expected to provide a major boost for women's hockey globally. It showcases the elite skill and drama of the game as the sport continues to advocate for greater professional opportunities and investment.