USA Stuns Canada in Overtime to Capture Olympic Gold in Instant Classic
The United States women’s ice hockey team captured the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in a classic, heart-stopping showdown against their fiercest rivals, Canada, in Milan-Cortina. In a game that will be remembered for years, the U.S. rallied from behind to win 2–1 in overtime, bringing Olympic gold back to American ice hockey fans.
In front of an electric crowd at the Santagiulia Arena, Canada struck first with a shorthanded goal in the second period by Kristin O’Neill, marking the first goal the Americans had conceded in the tournament. The Canadians carried that lead deep into the third period, threatening to capture another Olympic title.
With just over two minutes left in regulation, U.S. captain Hilary Knight provided the spark the Americans needed. Knight redirected a point shot into the net, tying the game and sending it into sudden-death overtime. The goal was historic on multiple fronts: it tied Knight’s Olympic goals record and extended her all-time points mark for Team USA women’s hockey.
In the extra period, defender Megan Keller delivered the climactic moment for the United States. Just 4:07 into overtime, Keller danced past a defender and slipped a backhand shot past Canadian goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens to secure the gold medal. It was a brilliant individual effort in a high-pressure moment and capped off a brilliant tournament for Keller.
This triumph marks the third Olympic gold medal in U.S. women’s hockey history, adding to titles won in 1998 and 2018. It also represents redemption after the Americans fell to Canada in the gold medal game at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
The victory underscored the depth and resilience of the U.S. roster, blending veteran leadership from Knight with clutch contributions from emerging stars like Keller and teammates across the lineup. With a 2–1 win in one of the most storied rivalries in international hockey, Team USA closed out the Milano-Cortina Games on the highest note possible.
Source: Yahoo Sports
Image Credit Wikimedia Commons Phwayne
