Megan Keller seals overtime as U.S. women rally behind Hilary Knight
The United States recovered from a 1-0 deficit to beat Canada 2-1 in overtime on Feb. 19, 2026, in Milan, a comeback capped when megan keller scored the sudden-death winner 4: 07 into extra time. The sequence — a late tying goal by Hilary Knight followed by an aggressive overtime push — decided the gold-medal match and crystallized the U. S. team’s resilience on the biggest stage.
How Hilary Knight swung momentum
With the U. S. trailing late and the goalie pulled, the Americans won a faceoff in the attacking zone and moved the puck to the point. A shot from the point was redirected by Knight with just over two minutes remaining, knotting the score and forcing overtime. That goal was the 15th of Knight’s Olympic career and moved her into sole possession of a U. S. record; it also extended her Olympic points total, which stands as the program mark. Knight had urged her teammates to find a hero in the room during the pressure-filled final period, and her tying play delivered the spark the Americans needed.
Megan Keller overtime game-winner
Early in 3-on-3 overtime, a length-of-the-ice pass found a streaking Megan Keller. Keller created separation with a hard move on a defender and then converted one-on-one on the opposing goaltender, finishing the play 4: 07 into overtime to clinch the victory. The goal followed a decisive sequence of speed and skill in the open ice that is favored by the reduced-player overtime format, and it completed the Americans’ comeback from a late regulation deficit to claim the gold.
Anthem moment and next steps
After the win the team stood arm in arm and sang the national anthem together on the ice, a moment players described as the emotional high point of the night. Teammates noted the rarity and significance of hearing the anthem in victory, emphasizing the shared aspect of the celebration. Team leadership framed the result as a testament to preparation and resolve; the coaching staff called the achievement a major thrill and an inspiration going forward. Attention now shifts to the men’s tournament, where the U. S. team is scheduled to play in a semifinal match against Slovakia in the coming days.
The game combined veteran poise and opportunistic finishing: Knight’s late redirect pulled the Americans back into contention, and megan keller’s overtime finish produced the definitive moment. With this gold-medal result, the U. S. women leave Milan with a comeback win that will be remembered for both the captain’s late heroics and the overtime clincher that followed.
