United States Women's Hockey Team Wins Olympic Gold Over Canada in Overtime

The United States women's hockey team won Olympic gold, beating Canada 2-1 in overtime. This is their third Olympic gold medal.
By Newsroom | Sports, Olympics |

The United States women's national ice hockey team has captured the Olympic gold medal, defeating their long-standing rivals, Canada, by a score of 2-1 in a dramatic overtime final. The victory, sealed by a late goal from Megan Keller, marks the third Olympic gold for the U.S. women's program and concludes a closely contested tournament that saw both teams demonstrate remarkable resilience and skill. The outcome extends Canada's Olympic gold medal drought against the United States, highlighting a persistent competitive tension between the two nations in the sport.

The path to the gold medal game was marked by intense rivalries and significant performances from key players. Canada, a team that had won gold in previous Olympic tournaments, faced a challenging semifinal, needing two goals from captain Marie-Philip Poulin to secure their spot in the final against Switzerland. The United States, meanwhile, navigated their own path to the championship match, with the win over Canada capping a notable tournament run.

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Golden goal: Keller, U.S. women top Canada in OT - 1

Final Match Details

The gold medal game itself was a tight affair, with both teams demonstrating strong defensive play. Canada scored a short-handed goal from Kristin O'Neill, and goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens made a substantial 31 saves throughout the match. The United States managed to score their goals, with Hilary Knight contributing a game-tying goal late in the third period. This goal by Knight also established her as the all-time scoring leader in U.S. Olympic women's hockey history.

Overtime Decider

The game remained tied after regulation, forcing a sudden-death overtime period. Megan Keller emerged as the decisive player, making a skilled maneuver around Canadian defender Claire Thompson before scoring the game-winning goal past Desbiens. This marked Keller's "golden goal," which secured the championship for the United States. The goal came approximately 4:07 into the overtime period, bringing an end to the tournament's women's hockey competition.

Read More: US Women's Hockey Team Wins Olympic Gold Against Canada in Overtime Match

Golden goal: Keller, U.S. women top Canada in OT - 2

Historical Context and Rivalry

The matchup between the United States and Canada is a cornerstone of women's international hockey. This Olympic final was their seventh encounter for the gold medal. Canada's loss in this instance continues a recent trend, extending their losing streak against the U.S. to eight games. Leading up to the Olympics, Canada had participated in four "Rivalry Series" games against the United States. This historical rivalry underscores the high stakes and deep competitive spirit present in every encounter between these two national teams.

Player Milestones

Beyond the team victory, the game saw individual players reach significant milestones. Hilary Knight, playing in her fifth and final Olympics, delivered a crucial performance. Her game-tying goal in the final made her the most decorated player in U.S. women's hockey history, having also secured her second Olympic gold medal. The game also marked the final Olympic appearance for the 36-year-old Knight.

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Broader Tournament Implications

The United States' victory represents their third Olympic gold medal in women's hockey. While the U.S. celebrated gold, Switzerland secured the bronze medal, defeating Sweden in their bronze medal game, with Alina Muller scoring the decisive goal in overtime. For Canada, the silver medal represents a continuation of their search for Olympic gold against their North American rivals. The tournament also saw a significant match where the United States had previously handed Canada their first-ever Olympic shutout and scored 10 goals against them, a notable result in the context of their long-standing competition.

Expert Commentary

"You want to win a gold medal with that group. It’s a special group, a lot of veterans.”— Unattributed statement regarding the U.S. team.

"Team Canada is a phenomenal team, heavy hitters. Canada gave us their best and they're an incredible team."— Unattributed statement regarding Canada's performance.

"The two goals they scored against Canada were their fewest in a game all Olympics, but both scores will live on in United States hockey lore."— Assessment of the U.S. offensive output in the final.

Conclusion and Future Considerations

The United States women's hockey team has achieved a significant victory, claiming Olympic gold by defeating Canada 2-1 in overtime. Megan Keller's decisive goal not only won the championship but also solidified the U.S. program's place in Olympic history. The game underscored the intense rivalry between the two nations, with key individual performances from players like Hilary Knight and Ann-Renée Desbiens contributing to the narrative. While the United States celebrates this achievement, the competitive dynamic with Canada is expected to persist in future international competitions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How did the United States win the women's Olympic hockey gold medal against Canada on February 19?
The United States women's hockey team won the Olympic gold medal by beating Canada 2-1 in an overtime game on February 19. Megan Keller scored the winning goal for the USA.
Q: What was the final score of the Olympic women's hockey gold medal game between the USA and Canada?
The final score of the Olympic women's hockey gold medal game was 2-1 in favor of the United States over Canada. The game went into overtime.
Q: Who scored the winning goal for the United States in the Olympic women's hockey final against Canada?
Megan Keller scored the game-winning goal for the United States in overtime against Canada to win the Olympic gold medal. Hilary Knight also scored a key goal for the USA.
Q: What is the history between the USA and Canada in Olympic women's hockey finals?
The United States and Canada have played each other for the Olympic gold medal seven times. This win gives the USA their third Olympic gold medal against Canada.
Q: Did Canada's goalie Ann-Renée Desbiens play well in the Olympic final against the USA?
Yes, Canada's goalie Ann-Renée Desbiens played very well, making 31 saves during the Olympic gold medal game against the United States. Despite her strong performance, the USA won 2-1 in overtime.
Q: What other team won a medal in the women's Olympic hockey tournament?
Switzerland won the bronze medal in the women's Olympic hockey tournament. They beat Sweden in their bronze medal game, with Alina Muller scoring the winning goal in overtime.