Womens Hockey Usa: Knight's Late Equalizer and Keller's OT Strike Deliver Dramatic Olympic Gold

Womens Hockey Usa headlines again after a dramatic Olympic final where Team USA came from behind to capture gold in overtime. Hilary Knight produced a historic, game-tying goal late in regulation that set the stage for Megan Keller's golden strike in 3-on-3 overtime, securing a 2-1 victory over Canada and delivering a high-stakes finish to the tournament.

Womens Hockey Usa: Knight's record-breaking goal changed the game

Team USA's comeback pivoted on Hilary Knight's tipped goal with the goalie pulled and 2: 04 remaining in the third period. The deflection off a shot from a teammate tied the championship game and broke multiple U. S. Olympic records: Knight moved into sole possession of the Team USA Olympic career goals lead with 15, and into the top spot for Olympic career points for the U. S. with 33. The score not only erased a late deficit but also extended Knight's legacy—this marked her second Olympic gold and her fifth Olympic medal overall.

For Knight, the moment carried added weight as these Games represented her final Olympic appearance. Her late-game impact underscored a long career of production at the highest level and provided the decisive momentum shift needed in the title game.

Megan Keller's overtime winner seals dramatic 2-1 victory

Overtime unfolded as a 3-on-3 period, where Megan Keller produced the decisive play. Keller navigated around a Canadian defender and unleashed a backhand that slipped past the Canadian goalie, contacting the net after making its way through the goalie's right arm. That finish ended the championship contest and gave Team USA the gold medal after a hard-fought final.

The sequence illustrated the combination of veteran poise and opportunism that defined the U. S. bench late in the game: Knight's record-tying equalizer created the opening, and Keller's overtime composure delivered the result.

Defense and goaltending: the foundation of the tournament run

Team USA's title run was built on stingy defensive work and elite goaltending. The U. S. had allowed only one goal prior to the final; Canada added a short-handed strike that became the second goal surrendered in the tournament. Over the entire Olympic competition, the United States conceded just two goals, matching the fewest allowed in a single Olympics by a women's team.

In the gold-medal game, U. S. goaltending produced a standout performance with 30 saves. Across the tournament, the U. S. netminder posted an exceptional save percentage and achieved a historical first by recording three shutouts in one Olympic tournament—an achievement that reinforced the team's defensive identity and created the platform for the late comeback and overtime finish.

What this victory means and what comes next

The gold-medal win crowns a tournament that blended veteran leadership and clutch scoring. Knight's milestone goals and points totals reframe the U. S. record books, while Keller's overtime strike provided a climactic finale. The team-wide defensive discipline that led to only two goals allowed across the event will be a central talking point in post-tournament analysis and sets a standard for future international play.

Details about follow-up plans, roster adjustments or future competitions were not included in the immediate coverage of the final. Recent updates indicate the game marked the end of Knight's Olympic career and a pinnacle moment for the roster that delivered on the sport's biggest stage.