In a dramatic and fiercely contested gold medal match at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, the United States women's hockey team clinched its third Olympic title with a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory over archrival Canada on Thursday night. The game, held at the Milan Cortina Games, showcased the intensity of one of sports' most storied rivalries, culminating in a golden goal that will be remembered for years to come.
Keller's Overtime Heroics Seal the Deal
Defender Megan Keller emerged as the hero for Team USA, scoring a backhand shot 4:07 into the overtime period to secure the historic win. With both teams playing 3-on-3 in the extra frame, Keller broke up the left wing, maneuvered past Canadian defender Claire Thompson, and drove to the net. Her precise backhander beat Canadian goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens over the right pad, sending the American bench into a frenzy and capping off a nail-biting finish.
Knight's Record-Breaking Equalizer
The victory was set up by a clutch performance from American captain Hilary Knight, who forced overtime with a critical goal late in regulation. With just 2:04 remaining on the clock and the U.S. trailing 1-0, Knight tipped in a shot from teammate Laila Edwards from the blue line. This goal marked the 15th of Knight's Olympic career and her 33rd point, breaking U.S. records in both categories. It was a fitting moment for Knight, competing in her fifth and final Olympics, as she helped keep her team's gold medal hopes alive.
Goaltending and Defensive Battles
American goaltender Aerin Frankel played a pivotal role in the win, stopping 30 shots throughout the game to keep the U.S. in contention. On the Canadian side, Ann-Renee Desbiens was equally impressive with 31 saves, but it wasn't enough to hold off the American onslaught. Canada's lone goal came from Kristen O'Neill, who scored a short-handed goal 54 seconds into the second period, ending the Americans' impressive shutout streak of 5 hours, 52 minutes, and 17 seconds.
Historical Context and Rivalry Intensity
This gold medal adds to the U.S. women's hockey legacy, with previous victories at the 1998 Nagano Games—the first Olympics to feature women's hockey—and in 2018 at Pyeongchang. Canada, which had won the other five gold medals in the sport's Olympic history, settled for its third silver. The rivalry between these two powerhouses remains as heated as ever, with this being the seventh of their 12 Olympic meetings decided by a single goal and the third to extend past regulation time. Notably, Canada overcame a late deficit to win in overtime at the 2014 Sochi Games, while the U.S. triumphed in a shootout in 2018.
Dominant Tournament Run
Despite the close final, the United States was dominant throughout the Milan Olympics, finishing with a perfect 7-0 record and outscoring opponents by a combined margin of 33-2. This performance included a 5-0 win over Canada in the preliminary round just nine days prior, though the gold medal game proved to be a much tighter affair. The U.S. had not trailed in the tournament until O'Neill's goal, highlighting their defensive prowess and offensive firepower.
Notable Debut and Milestones
The game also featured a significant milestone for Laila Edwards, who made her Olympic debut and became the first Black woman to represent the United States in hockey. Her assist on Knight's goal was a key contribution in the team's comeback effort. As the American women celebrated their hard-fought victory, this match underscored the enduring passion and skill that define Olympic women's hockey, setting the stage for future chapters in this epic rivalry.
