U.S. Women’s Hockey Blanks Sweden, Earn Rematch with Canada for Olympic Gold

Undefeated Team USA continued its dominant run at the Winter Games, routing Sweden 5-0 in a semifinal to set up a Thursday gold-medal showdown with Canada. The North American rivals will meet for the Olympic title for a seventh time, with Canada holding a 4-2 edge in previous gold-medal meetings.

U. S. offense balanced, defense near-impenetrable

The Americans turned in a complete performance, getting goals from Cayla Barnes, Taylor Heise, Abbey Murphy, Kendall Coyne Schofield and Hayley Scamurra. Goaltender Aerin Frankel stopped 21 shots for her third shutout of the tournament, anchoring a defensive effort that has been nearly flawless.

Team USA has now scored at least five goals in every game of the tournament and has outscored opponents by a lopsided 31-1 margin. The Americans have not allowed a goal since the second period of their opening game on Feb. 5, an unbroken stretch of 331 minutes and 23 seconds without conceding. That defensive streak has turned the U. S. into a heavy favorite heading into the medal rounds.

“It’s one shot for gold, ” veteran defender Lee Stecklein said after the win. “And then if you don’t get it, you have to wait four years, if you’re lucky, to be there again. So it’s a whole different sort of pressure. I think this group is ready. ”

The semifinal victory follows a statement-making 5-0 result over Canada in the final game of the preliminary round on Feb. 10, underscoring the Americans’ ability to produce offense across multiple lines while remaining stingy on the back end.

Poulin powers Canada into final; bronze set for Thursday morning

Canada punched its ticket to the final with a tougher-than-expected 2-1 victory over Switzerland. Superstar forward Marie-Philip Poulin produced both Canadian goals, pushing her Olympic goal total to 20 with the second-period winner that ultimately decided the game. Her first tally in the match marked another milestone on her prolific Olympic résumé.

The result sets up a classic North American rematch for Olympic supremacy. The two teams have met for gold six times previously, with Canada victorious in four of those encounters. That history and the high stakes guarantee intensity when the puck drops.

Sweden and Switzerland will meet for the bronze medal at 8: 40 a. m. ET on Thursday, with both teams hoping to salvage podium finishes after narrow semifinal exits.

Key storylines heading into the gold-medal game

Several narratives will shape the title game. The United States brings extraordinary depth: multiple scoring threats, special teams that have been consistently dangerous, and a goaltender who has refused to yield. That combination has made the Americans one of the most complete teams in international women’s hockey this cycle.

Canada, meanwhile, leans on veteran poise and a player in Poulin who has a knack for delivering in the biggest moments. If Canada can limit the U. S. transition game and find high-quality chances consistently, the match could become a chess match of systems and special-teams execution.

Beyond tactics, the gold-medal game carries the simple urgency Stecklein summed up: a single opportunity to win Olympic gold. For players on both rosters—some of whom are in their third, fourth or fifth Games—the stakes are intensely personal. Expect a physical, high-tempo contest where small moments and disciplined play likely decide the outcome.

Thursday’s final will close out a tournament that has showcased offensive fireworks, defensive discipline and a clutch performance from one of the sport’s marquee champions. For U. S. fans, the question is whether a dominant run so far can be capped with the sport’s ultimate prize. For Canada, it’s about harnessing veteran leadership and championship experience to reclaim Olympic gold.