usa hockey olympics: U.S. Women Roll to 5-0 Win Over Sweden, Advance to Gold Medal Game
win built on stifling defense and balanced scoring, the U. S. Olympic women's hockey team defeated Sweden 5-0 in the semifinal to reach the gold-medal game. The victory underlined the roster's depth and set up a showdown for Olympic hockey supremacy on Thursday, Feb. 19 at 1: 10 p. m. ET.
Complete performance: five scorers, dominant possession
The U. S. offense was unhurried and efficient, with five different players finding the back of the net. Cayla Barnes opened the scoring early, ripping a shot past the Swedish goaltender at 5: 09 of the first period. Taylor Heise, Abbey Murphy, Kendall Coyne Schofield and Hayley Scamurra added goals across the remaining periods, spreading the scoring burden and keeping the pressure constant.
Possession numbers told much of the story. Team USA outshot Sweden 34-23 overall and controlled play in the offensive zone from the opening minutes — outshooting the Swedes 13-2 in the first period alone. The visitors failed to convert on three power-play opportunities, while the U. S. did not need special teams to build a decisive lead.
Historic goaltending and an impenetrable defense
Goaltender Aerin Frankel delivered a performance equal parts calm and clinical. She stopped all 23 shots she faced to record a shutout, her third of the tournament. That mark made Frankel the first netminder in Olympic women's hockey history to record three shutouts in a single edition of the Games.
The defensive effort extended beyond the crease. The U. S. has now outscored opponents 31-1 across six games and has not allowed a goal in the last 331 minutes and 23 seconds of play — a run that has turned the blue line into a near-impenetrable barrier. Line matchups, quick recoveries and disciplined gap control repeatedly frustrated Sweden's attempts to generate sustained pressure.
What’s next: the gold-medal showdown
With the semifinal win secured, Team USA advances to the gold-medal game on Thursday, Feb. 19. Puck drop is scheduled for 1: 10 p. m. ET at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. The Americans will face a familiar and fierce rival in the final; the matchup renews one of the sport's great Olympic duels.
Head coach John Wroblewski said the team will refocus quickly and prepare for the unique intensity of a gold-medal game. The plan is clear: lean on balanced scoring, sustain defensive discipline and trust the depth that has defined this run. Special teams will be cleaned up where necessary, but the core message remained the same — the roster’s collective play, rather than individual heroics, has been the difference.
As the U. S. eyes its next opponent and the chance to claim Olympic gold, the semifinal performance stands as a reminder that this team’s strengths are both systemic and resilient. Solid goaltending, stout defense and contributions up and down the lineup have combined to produce one of the tournament’s most formidable runs — and set the stage for a high-stakes finale on Thursday afternoon.
