Revenge Served Cold: Team USA Takes Gold Over Canada In Olympic Sudden-Death Overtime

(L-R) Megan Keller #5, Aerin Frankel #31 and Hayley Scamurra #16 of Team United States celebrate after the medal ceremony for the Ice Hockey Women following the Women’s Gold Medal match between the United States and Canada (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

In another overtime nail-biter for the United States, the women’s hockey team defeated Canada to capture their third Olympic gold medal.

Since women’s hockey made its Olympic debut in 1998, only Canada and the United States have won gold in the event, and this year was no exception. The rivalry was on full display in the arena Thursday when the teams competed in the finals for the seventh time — with Canada having won five of them. But this year, it was America’s turn.

After a scoreless opening period, Kristin O’Neill broke the deadlock for Canada and they took the 1-0 lead into the third. The gold was just within reach.

The arena then erupted when Hilary Knight tied the game 1-1 — adding to her own Olympic resume — with just two minutes remaining in regulation. When the third period ended, the teams headed to 3-on-3 sudden-death overtime, a 20-minute period played until the first goal.

But overtime didn’t last long. Just four minutes into the extra frame, Megan Keller danced around Claire Thompson and flipped the puck past goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens for the game-winner.

TEAM USA TAKES GOLD 🥇

Megan Keller wins it in overtime, helping the U.S. to a 2-1 victory over Canada.

🎥 @NBCOlympics | #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/1xXQvOnNII
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) February 19, 2026

Team USA dominated throughout the tournament until Canada pushed them into a tightly contested championship — but it just wasn’t enough to derail the Americans.

“It was a hard-fought game. Canada gave us their best and they’re an incredible team. Their goaltending was outstanding. A lot of offense, a lot of great defense, so it was hard,” Keller said after the game. “But really proud of the way our group stuck together. We fought to get into OT and just happy to finish it off.”

The rival win must feel extra sweet this year, since the last Winter Games in 2022 resulted in a silver medal against Canada. But for six of Team USA’s players, including Knight, who has said these Olympic games will be her last, this is their second gold medal.

As for the men’s hockey team, they will compete against Slovakia in the semifinals on Friday. If they win, they have a shot at competing — possibly against Canada — to win their first Olympic gold since 1980.