Team USA solidifies itself as world's best with third women's hockey Olympic gold medal

Team USA secures third women's hockey gold medal with 2-1 overtime win over Team Canada

Team Canada has long been a thorn in the side of Team USA, winning four of the previous six gold-medal games prior to Thursday's meeting. But the result sends a strong message: After an extended run of excellence by the Canadian team, the United States is back on top. The team also defeated Canada in the 2025 IIHF women's world championship last April, as well as in the group stages at both events.

Overall, Team USA has won eight consecutive games against Team Canada, including a sweep of the most recent rivalry series held in November and December 2025. 

Before Thursday's nail-biter, the team had dominated the field, and it finished the 2026 Winter Games with 33 goals across its seven games while only conceding two. It was the most dominant Olympics by a women's hockey team since 2010, when Team Canada outscored its opponents 48-2.

The result was made even sweeter with it being the likely swan song for all-time U.S. women's hockey great Hilary Knight, a five-time Olympian who set the team record for most Olympic goals and points with her tying goal.

"We'll see," Knight said when asked if that was her final goal scored at the Olympics.

If this is the end, she's leaving the team in an excellent spot. It's the undisputed best in the world, and it has the gold to prove it.