US Women’s Hockey Team Defeats Canada in Overtime at Milan Olympics

The United States women's hockey team claimed victory over Canada in an overtime thriller at the Milan Olympics on Thursday. The tournament showcased the sport's growing strength with professional league players leading the way and host Italy making a surprising run to the quarterfinals.

MILAN – Women’s ice hockey reached new heights at the Milan Olympics as the United States defeated Canada in a thrilling overtime battle Thursday, showcasing a sport that has transformed dramatically since the last Winter Games.

Megan Keller delivered the game-winning goal in overtime, sending American fans into celebration at Santagiulia arena and marking the seventh time in eight Olympic tournaments that these two hockey powerhouses have met in the final.

The victory caps off what many consider a watershed moment for women’s hockey, arriving just as the sport enjoys unprecedented professional support through the newly established Professional Women’s Hockey League.

A total of 61 Olympic athletes from the PWHL combined to score 65 goals throughout the Milan tournament, demonstrating the elevated level of play that the professional league has fostered since its creation following the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

The Milan Games began with several obstacles, including ice rink dimensions that didn’t meet initial expectations and a venue that organizers rushed to complete before competition began.

Additional challenges emerged when Finland’s team suffered multiple norovirus cases, forcing defending champions Canada to delay their opening match. Canada also faced concerns when star player Marie-Philip Poulin, known as “Captain Clutch,” sustained an injury that threatened to sideline the veteran in what many speculated could be her final Olympic appearance.

Despite these early setbacks, the tournament recovered spectacularly. Poulin returned to action and established a new Olympic scoring record, while Italy successfully completed their arena construction and celebrated their national team’s remarkable achievement.

The host Italian squad, making their first Olympic appearance in two decades, delivered on their promise to “shock the hockey world” by defeating both France and Japan during group play to advance to the quarterfinal round.

Thursday’s medal rounds provided a dramatic conclusion with two consecutive overtime contests. Switzerland captured bronze in their victory over Sweden, setting the stage for the United States to claim their long-awaited revenge against their Canadian rivals.

The tournament’s success in Milan demonstrates how far women’s hockey has progressed, with fans able to continue following their favorite Olympic stars when PWHL play resumes after the Games conclude.