USA Women’s Hockey Triumphs Over Canada; Alysa Liu Clinches Gold at Olympics

Jordan Hartwell

Published: February 19, 2026 10:05 PM ET

USA Women’s Hockey Triumphs Over Canada; Alysa Liu Clinches Gold at Olympics

The latest chapter in the storied rivalry between U.S. and Canadian women’s hockey unfolded dramatically at the Milan Olympics. The United States triumphed over Canada with a nail-biting 2-1 victory in the gold medal match, solidifying their status as a powerhouse in women’s hockey.

USA Women’s Hockey Clinches Olympic Gold

In a match where both teams sought to add to their Olympic legacies, it was Hilary Knight who ignited hope for the U.S. squad. With just under two minutes left in regulation, Knight scored an equalizer, showcasing her remarkable skill and experience in her fifth Olympic appearance. The tying goal solidified her position as the all-time U.S. Olympic leader in both goals (15) and points (33).

Overtime was tense, but it brought a decisive moment when Megan Keller netted the winning goal. After receiving a pass from Taylor Heise, Keller maneuvered around a Canadian defender and fired past goalkeeper Ann-Renée Desbiens, clinching gold for the U.S. Canada had opened the scoring early in the second period, but the U.S. team’s resilience prevailed in the end.

Historic Achievements

Laila Edwards, a key player in the U.S. victory, became the first Black woman to earn a hockey gold medal with Team USA.
The U.S. has now won two of the last three Olympic gold medals in women’s hockey.
Canada, despite their loss, has maintained an impressive Olympic record, consistently finishing with at least a silver medal since the event’s inception.

Alysa Liu’s Figure Skating Triumph

In addition to the thrilling hockey victory, Alysa Liu captured gold in the women’s singles figure skating event. At just 20 years old, Liu made a remarkable comeback after retiring at 16, prior to the 2022 Olympics. Returning to competition in 2025, she rewrote her narrative by securing the world championship.

Entering the free skate in third place, Liu executed her performance flawlessly, ultimately scoring 226.79 to clinch the gold. This win marked a significant milestone, being the first Olympic gold for a U.S. woman in individual figure skating since Sarah Hughes in 2002.

Final Medal Standings

Following these standout performances, the United States is tied with Italy for the second-most gold medals at the Olympics, while Norway leads with 16 golds. The overall medal count indicates a strong showing for Team USA across various winter sports.

U.S. women’s hockey: 2-1 victory over Canada in gold medal match.
Alysa Liu: Gold in women’s singles figure skating.
Current gold medal standings: U.S. tied with Italy, trailing Norway.

Both the women’s hockey team and Alysa Liu have brought pride to the United States, highlighting the nation’s growing prowess in winter sports as the Olympics progress.