Canada loses Olympic hockey gold to USA in overtime games in 2026

Both Canadian Olympic hockey teams lost gold medals to the USA in overtime games in 2026, a tough repeat of past finals.
By Newsroom | Sports, Hockey |

Canada's men's and women's hockey teams both experienced a deeply disappointing outcome at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, falling to their archrivals, the United States, in tightly contested gold medal games decided in overtime. The losses, which came just days apart, represent a significant setback for Canadian hockey, leaving fans and players alike grappling with the near misses.

The women's final saw the United States clinch the gold with a 2-1 overtime victory. This marked the seventh time these two nations had met for Olympic gold in women's hockey. The men's game followed a similar script, with the U.S. also emerging victorious in overtime by a score of 2-1. These outcomes have ignited discussions about the state of international hockey and the ongoing rivalry between the two countries.

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Context of the Olympic Hockey Finals

The stage was set for significant international competition in the 2026 Winter Olympics. Both the Canadian men's and women's hockey teams had navigated their respective tournaments with strong performances, ultimately earning spots in the gold medal games against their long-standing rivals, the United States.

Read More: Canada's Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics: Mixed Medals and Setbacks

Women's Gold Medal Game

The women's gold medal game between Canada and the U.S. was a tense affair. Canada had a dominant record heading into the final, having outscored opponents 31-1 in their previous six games. However, the U.S. team demonstrated resilience, coming from behind to secure a 2-1 overtime win. The winning goal for the U.S. was scored by Megan Keller. Aerin Frankel was named the game's Most Valuable Player.

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Men's Gold Medal Game

The men's gold medal game mirrored the women's outcome. Canada and the U.S. faced off in a highly anticipated matchup. While reports suggest Canada controlled much of the play, the U.S. secured a 2-1 overtime victory with a goal from Jack Hughes. The U.S. goalie, Connor Hellebuyck, was a standout performer, making 41 saves to Canada's 26 shots on net.

Read More: USA Men's Hockey Wins Gold vs Canada After 46 Years

Key Moments and Performances

Several key plays and individual efforts defined these dramatic gold medal contests.

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  • Overtime Victories: Both the men's and women's games were decided in overtime, highlighting the exceptionally close nature of these championship matchups.

  • U.S. Goaltending: Strong goaltending from the U.S. teams proved to be a decisive factor. Connor Hellebuyck for the men and Aerin Frankel for the women made crucial saves throughout their respective games.

  • Canadian Offensive Pressure: Despite controlling portions of the play and generating numerous shots, Canada's offenses were unable to find the decisive second goal in either final.

Analysis of the Losses

The defeats have prompted analysis into the factors that contributed to Canada's second-place finishes.

U.S. Team Strengths

The U.S. women's team is noted for having a stronger base of young talent, suggesting a robust future pipeline. For the men's team, their ability to perform under pressure and secure crucial overtime wins was evident.

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Canadian Opportunities Missed

  • Was Canada unable to score a second goal before the U.S. could equalize and ultimately win?

  • Did Canada's offensive strategy, despite generating considerable pressure, lack the necessary finishing ability in critical moments?

  • Were there specific defensive lapses that allowed the U.S. to capitalize in overtime?

Player Sentiments

Following the women's loss, Canadian players expressed their disappointment. One player reflected on the team's effort, stating, "Sarah Petz Knight gave the Canadians credit for not letting them win the gold medal without a fight." On the men's side, Sidney Crosby commented on the team's performance, noting, "I thought one of our best games was probably today, and unfortunately it didn’t work out for us."

Tribute and Team USA's Perspective

Amidst the celebration of their victory, Team USA players offered a poignant perspective, referencing their late teammate Johnny Gaudreau. U.S. player Dylan Larkin suggested that Gaudreau may have played a role in the team's defensive success.

Read More: Team USA Honors Johnny Gaudreau's Family with Children on Ice After Olympic Gold Win

"I think part of the puck not going in our net was somehow, that he’s standing there doing something," said Larkin, referring to Gaudreau, who passed away previously. He pictured Gaudreau and his former teammate Matty Gaudreau "laughing with Matty," as they "just somehow they put a spell around our net where that puck didn’t go in." Larkin also made a lighthearted comment about the irony of Gaudreau, a forward, seemingly contributing defensively.

Gaudreau's family was present at the game. His father, Guy Gaudreau, expressed finding comfort in knowing that Johnny would be present in the hearts of his teammates and friends.

Conclusion and Implications

The dual overtime losses in the Olympic gold medal hockey games represent a significant moment of heartbreak for Canadian sports. While Canada demonstrated strong performances throughout both tournaments, the United States ultimately proved victorious in the decisive matchups.

  • The results highlight the intense and evolving rivalry between Canada and the U.S. in international hockey.

  • The depth of talent within the U.S. women's program may indicate a shift in the competitive balance.

  • For Canada, these outcomes will likely prompt further examination of player development, team strategies, and preparation for future international competitions. The near-victories, while disappointing, underscore the high stakes and unpredictable nature of elite-level hockey.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How did Canada's hockey teams do in the 2026 Olympics?
Canada's men's and women's hockey teams both lost the gold medal games to the United States in overtime in the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics.
Q: What was the score of the women's Olympic hockey gold medal game in 2026?
The United States beat Canada 2-1 in overtime to win the women's Olympic hockey gold medal in 2026.
Q: What was the score of the men's Olympic hockey gold medal game in 2026?
The United States beat Canada 2-1 in overtime to win the men's Olympic hockey gold medal in 2026.
Q: Who scored the winning goals for the USA in the 2026 Olympic hockey finals?
Megan Keller scored the winning goal for the U.S. women's team, and Jack Hughes scored the winning goal for the U.S. men's team in their respective 2026 Olympic gold medal games.
Q: Why did the USA win the 2026 Olympic hockey gold medals against Canada?
The USA teams won due to strong goaltending and timely overtime goals. Despite Canada's strong play and many shots, the U.S. managed to secure 2-1 overtime victories in both the men's and women's gold medal games.
Q: What did Sidney Crosby say about Canada's loss in the 2026 Olympic men's hockey final?
Sidney Crosby said that he thought the team played one of their best games but unfortunately, it did not work out for them in the 2026 Olympic gold medal game against the USA.