Kirsten Simms Scores First Olympic Goal as USA Dominates Canada
Plymouth’s Kirsten Simms made history by scoring her first Olympic goal during a decisive 5-0 victory for Team USA over Canada in the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. The match took place at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, where the U.S. showcased their dominance.
Kirsten Simms Shines in Olympic Debut
Simms scored her inaugural Olympic goal at 1:21 in the second period. This milestone came from a power play opportunity, as she fiercely battled at the Canadian crease to put the puck in the net. Her scoring contributed to Team USA’s powerful offensive performance against their rivals.
Game Highlights
- Team USA finished preliminary rounds at 4-0, leading Group A.
- The team outscored opponents 20-1 throughout the rounds.
- The United States has not allowed a goal in over 211 minutes of play.
- Simms’ goal extended Team USA’s lead to 3-0 in the match.
Hannah Bilka from Coppell, Texas, played a pivotal role by scoring two goals, while Caroline Harvey of Salem, New Hampshire, netted the first goal at 3:45 in the opening period. Bilka added another marker at 13:00 of the second period, solidifying the U.S. advantage.
Overall Performance
Team USA’s dominance was evident as they outshot Canada 33-20 and successfully converted 1 out of 5 power play opportunities. In contrast, Canada failed to capitalize on their single power play chance.
Historic Shutout
The victory marked Canada’s first shutout loss in Olympic history, spanning 41 contests. U.S. goaltender Aerin Frankel from Chappaqua, New York, recorded a 20-save shutout, her second clean sheet of this tournament. The combination of strong offense and solid defense positions Team USA for a promising quarterfinal match.
Looking Ahead
Team USA is set to face Italy in the quarterfinals on Friday, February 13, at 9:10 p.m. Central European Time (3:10 p.m. Eastern Time) at the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena. Fans can tune in on USA Network or stream the entire game on Peacock.
