MILAN — The U.S. Women’s hockey team defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime on Thursday to win the gold medal at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. The victory came after a game where the U.S. Team appeared “unnerved” for the first 58 minutes and faced a potential upset.
A Dramatic Turnaround
Nine days prior, the U.S. Team had defeated Canada 5-0 in a group-play game. But, on Thursday, Canada’s defense proved formidable, shutting out the U.S. Offense for much of the game. With just two minutes remaining in regulation, U.S. Captain Hilary Knight redirected a shot from teammate Laila Edwards to tie the game and force overtime.
Three minutes into the sudden-death overtime period, Megan Keller scored the winning goal for the U.S., securing the gold medal. This is the third gold medal for the U.S. Women’s hockey team, and their first since 2018. The U.S. Now holds a 5-7 all-time record against Canada in Olympic play, with a 3-4 record in gold medal games.
A Game of Shifting Momentum
Canada took an early lead, scoring just one minute into the second period with a goal from Kristin O’Neill during a U.S. Power play. This marked the first goal allowed by the U.S. In 352 minutes of play and the first time they had trailed in the tournament. The U.S. Had previously won seven consecutive games against Canada, including a 5-0 victory nine days before the gold medal game.
The U.S. Team, comprised of players many of whom are captains for their respective teams, entered the tournament after a season playing in the Professional Women’s Hockey League. Coach John Wroblewski challenged the players to focus on individual performance leading up to the Olympics, believing the team aspect would naturally follow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the gold medal game?
The final score was U.S. 2, Canada 1.
Who scored the winning goal for the U.S.?
Megan Keller scored the winning goal in overtime.
How many gold medals has the U.S. Women’s hockey team won?
The U.S. Women’s hockey team has won three gold medals.
As both teams lined up to receive their medals, the song “Party in the USA” played. For Hilary Knight, it marked the complete of an “incredible ride” and potentially the best week of her life.
