2026 Olympic Women's Hockey Final: USA vs Canada. Result, score, key moments
The final game of the women's ice hockey tournament at the 2026 Olympic Games predictably brought together the two North American teams for the fifth consecutive time – the undefeated Americans and the reigning Olympic champions from Canada. On February 19, 2026, 11,171 spectators watched the match at the "Santa Giulia" arena in Milan.
The final concluded with a victory for Team USA in overtime (2:1 OT). The key moments of the final game were the crucial goal by the Americans two minutes before the end of regulation time and the goal in the fourth minute of overtime.
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Match Development
The most disciplined team of the tournament, the USA, gave their opponents two power-play opportunities in the first period, but Canada failed to capitalize, despite outshooting the Americans. The second period saw the "Maple Leafs" score a shorthanded goal – their first of the tournament. The goal was scored by Kristin O’Neill.
After conceding the goal, the reigning world champions gradually increased their activity, putting more pressure on Ann-Renée Desbiens, who stopped 27 shots in regulation time. The only attack that the Canadian goaltender couldn't stop occurred two minutes before the end of the match – when the experienced Hilary Knight, a 2018 Olympic champion and nine-time world champion, took matters into her own hands.
In overtime, the Canadians were left defenseless – managing only two shots in four minutes of extra time and facing complete domination by Team USA. As a result, the goal conceded to Megan Keller became decisive and victorious. In addition to the 2025 World Championship gold, the USA secured the highest Olympic honor.
Final Heroes
Despite bookmakers' expectations, who rated the USA as the clear favorite, the match turned out to be the kind of final showdown it should be. The main heroes of the final were undoubtedly Megan Keller, who scored the championship goal, and Hilary Knight, who gave the USA hope for "gold" when their neighbors were already preparing to celebrate victory.
However, it's important to highlight the teams' defensive play – American goalie Erin Frankel made 30 saves, while Canadian goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens made 31. These are impressive numbers and concentration levels for a decisive game. It seemed like the leader of the Canadian defense, Renata Fast, never left the ice: she spent almost 32 (incredible) minutes on the ice and recorded an assist.
Final Statistics
An absolutely even game in almost all aspects. The USA slightly outshot Canada thanks to a surge in overtime (33 shots to 31, 6.1% conversion rate to 3.2%), won one more faceoff (34 to 33), and blocked the same number of shots (17 each). Surprisingly, Canada was more disciplined than the USA (2 minutespenalty against 6 minutes) – yet neither team was able to capitalize on the advantage.
3 Reasons for the USA's Victory
The USA team was on a path to this victory throughout the tournament, never slowing down. Here are the three components of the "Stars and Stripes" success in Milan:
- Disciplined Play. The final was an exception, although even in the decisive match, six penalty minutes were not a problem. Their average penalty time throughout the tournament (4:34 per game) was the best at the Olympics.
- Incredible Scoring Efficiency. Only the USA surpassed a double-digit shooting percentage. Every ninth shot by the Americans (11.3%) found the net – the best rate of the Olympics.
- Consistent Goaltending. By the final, the Americans had allowed only one goal – in the tournament's opening game against the Czech Republic. This was followed by five shutout victories.
3 Reasons for Canada's Defeat
The Canadian players deserve thanks for their effort in the final – this is especially important in light of the crushing defeat in the group stage (0:5). However, the reasons for their failure in the decisive game were evident throughout the tournament:
- Rough Play. Throughout the tournament, Canada was one of the most undisciplined teams – averaging three penalties per game. They played more calmly in the final, but the fear of being penalized and punished for it was likely in their minds.
- Group Stage Blowout. No matter what is said about a completely different game in the final – when you lose 0:5 to your principal rivals a week earlier, besides the desire for revenge, there's a fear of being embarrassed again, which affects the game.
- Form. Everyone anticipated the USA – Canada final, and it happened. But the background of this match for women's hockey fans was clear – the "Stars and Stripes" had defeated the "Maple Leafs" seven times in a row – five times decisively (by at least three goals).
Medalists
🟡 USA. Third time in history
⚪ Canada. Third time in history
🟤 Switzerland. Second time in history
Top Players of the Tournament
Top Scorer. Megan Keller (USA) – 9 (3+6) points
Top Goal Scorer. Alina Müller (Switzerland), Thea Johansson (Sweden), Hannah Bilka (USA) – 4 goals each
Top Playmaker. Caroline Harvey (USA) – 7 assists
Most Valuable Player. Caroline Harvey (USA) – +14 plus/minus rating
Best Goaltender. Erin Frankel (USA) – 98.0% save percentage
Forecast
The women's hockey tournament is a fantastic competition. After the conclusion of the 2022 Olympics, everyone understood what awaited them in 2026 – another final between the USA and Canada. Anydeviation from this would have been the biggest sensation. It was alarming when the USA decisively defeated Canada in the group stage. However, the final lived up to the expectations of a decisive game—as the Scores24 editorial team predicted in their match forecast, Canada regrouped and made 30+ shots on goal.
Also, read in our Blog other articles about the Winter Olympics 2026:
