Team USA is Golden Again: How U.S. Women's Hockey Won Gold in Milano Cortina

U.S. Women's Hockey Team celebrating after winning the gold medal. Photo credits to REUTERS/David W Cerny. The photo can be found on Reuters.

With the 2026 Olympics officially wrapping up on February 22, there were numerous athletes who left a resounding impact on spectators, one of those being the Women's USA Hockey Team.

The U.S. Women's Olympic Team has won gold three times: 1998, 2018, and 2026. They have won silver four times as well in 2002, 2010, 2014, and 2022, including bronze once in 2006.

Let's take a look at how Team USA brought home the gold this year, following their biggest win during the gold medal game after going to overtime.

2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games

The U.S. Olympic Women's Hockey team was going into the 2022 Winter Olympics defending their title; however, they lost 3-2 against Canada during the Gold Medal Game. Prior to the Gold Medal Game, they had big games that took them to the finale, such as their match-up against Finland and Czechia, where the USA won 4-1 in both games.

U.S. Women's Hockey Team celebrating a goal. Courtesy of Getty Images. The photo was found on the Olympics website.

Roster

At the start of 2026, the Women's Olympic Hockey roster was announced, making fans excited and looking forward to the tournament starting.

Forwards

Kirsten Simms - University of Wisconsin (WCHA)

Kelly Pannek - Minnesota Frost

Grace Zumwinkle - Minnesota Frost

Hayley Scamurra - Montreal Victoire

Britta Curl-Salemme - Minnesota Frost

Hilary Knight - PWHL Seattle

Tessa Janecke - Penn State University (CHA)

Hannah Bilka - PWHL Seattle

Joy Dunne - Ohio State University (WCHA)

Alex Carpenter - PWHL Seattle

Kendall Coyne Schofield - Minnesota Frost

Taylor Heise - Minnesota Frost

Abbey Murphy - University of Minnesota (WCHA)

Defensemen

Lee Stecklein - Minnesota Frost

Cayla Barnes - PWHL Seattle

Caroline Harvey - University of Wisconsin (WCHA)

Megan Keller - Boston Fleet

Rory Guilday - Ottawa Charge

Haley Winn - Clarkson University (ECAC)

Laila Edwards - University of Wisconsin (WCHA)

Goalies

Ava McNaughton - University of Wisconsin (WCHA)

Aerin Frankel - Boston Fleet

Gwyneth Philips - Ottawa Charge

Knight was named Captain with Carpenter and Keller as alternative Captains.

2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics

The Women's USA Hockey team began their tournament on February 5, where they faced Czechia in the preliminary rounds, where the USA took the win 5-1. Carpenter, Dunne, Knight, and Scamurra scored for Team USA. Notably, Scamurra scored twice during the game, while Czechia scored only one goal by Barbora Jurickova.

Hilary Knight making a play for the puck. Courtesy of Getty Images. The photo can be found on the Olympics website.

The USA then faced Finland, where Finland was scoreless, and the USA won 5-0. We got to see another goal from Knight and Carpenter. Keller also scored as well as Murphy and Heise. Following that 5-0 win against Finland, Team USA defeated Switzerland and Canada 5-0 as well. It was clear that the women's hockey team was going to be a threat from the start, and there was no stopping them.

In the quarterfinals, Team USA faced Italy, where the US took a 6-0 win, which sent them to the semifinals. During the semifinals, they faced Sweden, a team they had faced for the first time, including Italy. Team USA was set to go to the Gold Medal Game following the 5-0 win against Sweden, and they were set to face Canada once again.

The Gold Medal Game was a close one, where Team USA couldn't afford to make a mistake, or it would have cost them the medal. Canada took the lead in the game when Kristin O'Neill scored nearly a minute into the second period. The second period ended with just one goal, and there was pressure on the US side to tie the game up heading into the third period.

Team USA celebrating their semifinal win at 2026 Winter Olympics. Photo credits to Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | Katie Stratman-Imagn Images. The photo can be found on Breakaway on Sports Illustrated.

With only three minutes left in the third period, Knight scored a goal with an assist from Keller and Edwards. There were a lot of unforgettable moments during the Gold Medal game, such as Knight breaking the Team USA all-time Olympic record for goals and points, which was 15 goals and 33 points. Edwards also became the first black woman to score a goal and played a huge role in Team USA winning Gold.

All of a sudden, it was a whole different game, and the win was going to be determined in overtime. Almost five minutes into overtime, Keller scored the game-winning goal with an assist from Heise, and the crowd went wild.

Following the game, Caroline Harvey was given the Most Valuable Player of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics following her seven assists and two goals in just seven games. With Team USA taking home the gold, there were some high expectations for the Men's Hockey Team as well, and they also took gold following their 2-1 win against Canada. Team USA will be the country to beat heading into the 2030 French Alps Winter Olympic Games.

Edited by Mary Merensky