Canada hockey captain Marie-Philip Poulin left it all on the ice in Thursday's gold medal match.
Despite battling through a lower-body injury that forced her to miss two preliminary games, the 34-year-old veteran's heroic effort fell short. After US captain Hilary Knight scored the equalizer near the end of regulation time, Team USA topped their northern rival 2-1 in overtime to claim the Olympic gold medal — forcing Canada to settle for silver.
With injury limiting her mobility, Poulin broke the Olympic women's goal-scoring record just days earlier, registering two goals against Switzerland in the semifinal. She reached 20 career Olympic goals in the win, surpassing former teammate Hayley Wickenheiser's previous record.
Canada led for nearly 40 minutes Thursday, after Kristin O'Neill scored a short-handed goal in the second period. O'Neill's tally marked Team USA's first goal allowed in over 352 minutes of play — a new Olympic hockey record. Goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens then kept the US scoreless through regulation, until Hilary Knight's deflection found the back of the net in the final two minutes.
"This one hurts," Poulin admitted after the loss. "We wanted to bring it back to Canada. We showed up and played hard until the end, but we came up short."
The defeat represents Canada's eighth consecutive loss to the US, a streak that dates back to the 2025 World Championships. Head coach Troy Ryan subsequently assembled a veteran-heavy Olympic roster that averaged three years older than youthful Team USA.
As for Poulin, her future remains uncertain. While the decorated captain may have played her final Olympic game, Canada hockey must now look ahead to 2030.
"We wanted to play relentless, in-their-face hockey, and that's what we did," an emotional Poulin said. "We came up short, but I'm truly, truly proud of this group."
Team USA got it done on Thursday, becoming the 2026 Olympic women's hockey champions with a comeback 2-1 overtime win over rival Canada.
Canada's Kristen O'Neill opened the scoring early in the second period, with her 1-0 lead holding until just outside the final two minutes of regulation time.
USA captain Hilary Knight then registered the equalizer — becoming the nation's top scorer in Olympic history — before Megan Keller slotted in the game-winner four minutes in to sudden-death overtime.
Though either Canada or the US has earned every one of the sport's eight Olympic titles, Thursday's gold is the third for Team USA, who topped the inaugural podium at the 1998 Nagano Games before snapping a 20-year drought with a second gold in PyeongChang.
USA Hockey's 2026 campaign will go down as one of the most dominant Olympic runs on record, with the US tallying a 33-2 goal differential — including five shutouts — through their seven matches in Milan.
"I've been on some great teams, with a lot of great teammates, great players, Hall-of-Famers," US veteran Kendall Coyne Schofield said. "But this one is special."
The USA's stacked roster ultimately claimed four of the Top-5 spots on the Olympic stat sheet, where Keller and University of Wisconsin star Caroline Harvey each posted a tournament-leading nine points — a run that saw Harvey also honored as the 2026 Games' MVP.
As for 36-year-old Knight, the USA hockey legend wraps her final Olympics with a Hollywood ending, capping an historic international career with an engagement and a gold medal.
"It's been an incredible ride," she said on Thursday. "I have to soak this all in because this room is just so special, this team is so special. This is the best US hockey team I've ever been a part of. That is just so tremendous."
The US is one win away from gold, as the undefeated USA women's hockey team aims to top the Winter Olympics' podium for the third time when they take on rival Canada on Thursday afternoon.
The US enters Thursday's final on an historic tear, outscoring opponents 31-1 while pitching an Olympic-record shutout streak — including a dominant 5-0 win over Canada in pool play.
"I think we're all just playing together as a group, and that's our strength," said Team USA goaltender Aerin Frankel. "That makes us a pretty hard team to score on."
While the US hasn't won Olympic gold in the sport since 2018, tides have recently shifted, with Team USA besting its northern neighbor in a winning streak dating back to April's 2025 IIHF World Championship.
As for Canada, the defending Olympic champions overcame their group-stage loss to the US and battled through the 2026 knockouts by relying on captain and all-time leading scorer Marie-Philip Poulin, whose second-period brace secured their 2-1 semifinal win over Switzerland on Monday.
Despite dealing with a lower-body injury, Poulin is on track to lace up against USA captain Hilary Knight for the last time on Olympic ice, with the newly engaged Knight announcing that this year's Games will be her last.
How to watch USA Hockey vs Canada in the Olympic gold medal match
The puck drops on the gold medal match at 1:10 PM ET on Thursday, with live coverage airing on USA Network.
Canada hockey rebounded from Tuesday's 5-0 loss to Team USA with a 5-0 shutout win over Finland on Thursday, capping the women's preliminary round at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
PWHL star Emily Clark scored twice while Jenn Gardiner, Daryl Watts, and Kristin O'Neill all added singles to Canada's tally, while Julia Gosling and Laura Stacey each recorded two assists. Meanwhile, goalie Ann-Renée Desbiens posted 17 saves in her third start in four days.
Gardiner opened scoring in the first period, finishing off a no-look pass from Gosling. Watts later doubled the lead in the second period on a Sarah Fillier backhand feed, before O'Neill made it 3-0 when her shot deflected off a Finnish skate and into the goal. Clark subsequently secured the win with two third-period goals, including a wraparound finish.
Canada hockey takes the ice without captain Marie-Philip Poulin
Canada played without captain Marie-Philip Poulin for the second straight game on Thursday, after the forward exited Monday's 5-1 win over Czechia with a lower-body injury.
Poulin — who sits one goal shy of Hayley Wickenheiser's all-time Olympic women's hockey scoring record — also sat out Tuesday's Team USA routing. Coach Troy Ryan told reporters he remains optimistic she'll return for the knockout round.
“She skated today with our medical staff and one of our coaches,” Ryan said ahead of today's win.
“She felt well, obviously not good enough right now to put her in the game. An extra couple days will do her justice. But everything was positive from the skate that she had today, so we’re still optimistic that she’ll return at some point.”
How to watch Team Canada in the women's hockey quarterfinals
Canada finishes Group A on a 3-0-0-1 record. This latest win sets up a quarterfinal clash with Group B runner-up Germany on Saturday at 10:40 AM ET, live on Peacock.
Team USA put the hockey world on notice on Tuesday, defeating rival Canada 5-0 to remain unbeaten atop Group A in Milan — securing the Olympic tournament's No. 1 seed heading into Friday's quarterfinals.
While PWHL pro Hannah Bilka led the scoresheet with two goals, the University of Wisconsin provided the other three USA tallies, as current Badger stars Caroline Harvey, Kirsten Simms, and Laila Edwards all found the back of the net.
Edwards made more US hockey history in the process, as the 22-year-old became the first-ever Black woman to score an Olympic goal for Team USA.
With two assists from Harvey and a trio from University of Minnesota captain Abbey Murphy, young NCAA stars proved crucial to handing Canada their worst loss — and only shutout — in Olympic history.
Meanwhile, goalie Aerin Frankel stopped 20 shots in the clash to post her second shutout of the 2026 Winter Olympics, as an assist from captain Hilary Knight saw her tie hockey legend Jenny Potter's all-time US points record.
"Our team's making my life pretty easy," Frankel said postgame. "It's been so much fun to play behind them."
The defending gold medalists notably missed injured captain Marie-Philip Poulin in the loss, with the 34-year-old ruled out five hours before Tuesday’s puck-drop and still considered questionable ahead of Canada's rescheduled group-stage finale against Finland on Thursday.
Team USA, on the other hand, has now outscored opponents 20-1 through four Olympic hockey games, while also counting seven straight victories over Canada across all competitions.
"What's the hardest part of climbing the mountain? Getting home," USA head coach John Wroblewski said this week. "You think you've done something, that's when the mountain eats you up."
How to watch Team USA in the 2026 Olympic hockey quarterfinals
After Canada caps the group stage against Finland at 8:30 AM ET on Thursday, streaming live on Peacock, the top-seeded US will take on host nation and No. 8-seed Italy in the quarterfinal round on Friday.
The puck drops on the knockout clash at 3:10 PM ET, airing live on USA Network.
Laila Edwards made Olympic hockey history on Tuesday, becoming the first Black woman to score a goal for Team USA as the US secured a shutout 5-0 victory over rival Canada.
The Ohio native's tally sealed the group-stage win for Team USA. The historic moment also cemented the 2022 Beijing silver medalists as the tournament's top goalscorers, outscoring Olympic opponents 20-1 en route to clinching first place in Group A.
Edwards called the milestone "an incredible honor" in an interview with CBS Mornings.
"I get to be the first of something and a role model for others," she said.
The University of Wisconsin defender joined USA Women's Hockey in 2023, becoming the squad's first-ever Black player. Now competing in her first Olympic hockey tournament, Edwards continues breaking barriers at the highest level of international competition.
"It's cliché, but it's my safe space," Edwards said of the sport. "I just feel like I can be myself and do what I love."
The 22-year-old credits her family for helping her make the Olympic hockey team. Her father started her in figure skating at age three, subsequently transitioning her to hockey two years later.
"I definitely felt like I belonged, but there were times when there was a bit of intimidation, just being the only girl on my team," Edwards recalled. "I was such a tomboy... basically one of them."
"There's no rule book that says hockey is for boys," she continued. "There's no reason you shouldn't do it if you love it."
What's next for Team USA at the 2026 Olympic hockey tournament
Team USA now leads the Olympic hockey standings heading into the quarterfinals, delivering a perfect 4-0 group-stage record. They enter the knockout rounds as the gold medal favorite.
The US now takes the ice against host nation Italy on Friday at 3:10 PM ET, live on Peacock.
Canada's Olympic hockey team took the ice against the US today without Marie-Philip Poulin, after the superstar captain exited Monday's 5-1 win over Czechia with a lower-body injury.
The Canadian Olympic Committee confirmed Poulin's absence roughly five hours before face-off, citing the injury without elaborating on its severity. The 34-year-old, nicknamed "Captain Clutch," is considered day-to-day, with her availability for Thursday's rescheduled game against Finland and Saturday's quarterfinal both uncertain.
Canadian captain Marie-Philip Poulin has been ruled OUT for today's game against the USA and is considered day-to-day beyond that. pic.twitter.com/eywErqIMt2
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) February 10, 2026
Poulin's absence delivers a significant blow to Canada's Olympic hockey defense. She is Canada's active leader against the US with 74 points across 104 career matchups, earning her nickname after scoring three separate gold medal-clinching goals ahead of her fifth Winter Olympics.
Her injury also puts the marquee Olympic hockey rivalry with US captain Hilary Knight on ice, as Knight competes in her fifth — and final — Winter Games. Team USA enters the game as tournament favorites, after sweeping Canada 4-0 in last winter's heated Rivalry Series. Then, the US outscored the Canadians by a 24-7 combined margin, including a 10-4 blowout marking the most goals Canada has ever allowed in international play.
Despite the injury, Canada forward Laura Stacey — and Poulin's wife — expressed confidence in her teammates.
"I don't know where she's at, but I do know, no matter what, we're all going to stick together," she said. "We are going to support her and I know she's going to support us, so whatever happens I know that our team is in great hands."
This year's Olympic hockey schedule is bringing the heat, with the women's tournament kicking off on February 5th in Milan — one day before the Opening Ceremony.
The 2026 Winter Olympics features 10 nations competing across two groups through February 19th, when medal games will determine the podium finishers.
One heated rivalry is at the center of this year's hockey schedule. Defending champions Canada are seeking their sixth Olympic gold, while Team USA enters as the reigning world champions after ousting Canada from the 2025 World Championship.
From the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena to the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena, competition is expected to be fiercer than ever, as the third-year PWHL has elevated play across all participating nations. Here's everything you need to know.
Which countries feature in the Olympic hockey group stage?
Group A brings together the world's top-ranked teams: United States, Canada, Finland, Czech Republic, and Switzerland. These five teams automatically qualified based on IIHF world rankings, and were subsequently guaranteed quarterfinal spots. Group B consists of host nation Italy, plus Japan, Sweden, Germany, and France, all earning their positions through qualification tournaments.
Olympic hockey's preliminary rounds run through February 10th, with each team playing four group-stage matches. The knockout rounds follow, with the bronze and gold medal matches slated for February 19th.
Complete 2026 Winter Olympics hockey schedule
Olympic Hockey Schedule: Preliminary Round
Thursday, February 5th (Group stage)
- 6:10 AM ET — Sweden vs Germany (Group B)
- 8:40 AM ET — France vs Italy (Group B)
- 10:40 AM ET — Czechia vs United States (Group A)
- 3:10 PM ET — Canada vs Finland (Group A)
Friday, February 6th (Group stage)
- 6:10 AM ET — France vs Japan (Group B)
- 8:40 AM ET — Czechia vs Switzerland (Group A)
Saturday, February 7th (Group stage)
- 6:10 AM ET — Germany vs Japan (Group B)
- 8:40 AM ET — Sweden vs Italy (Group B)
- 10:40 AM ET — USA vs Finland (Group A)
Sunday, February 8th (Group stage)
- 10:40 AM ET — France vs Sweden (Group B)
- 3:10 PM ET — Czechia vs Finland (Group A)
Monday, February 9th (Group stage)
- 6:10 AM ET — Japan vs Italy (Group B)
- 10:40 AM ET — Germany vs France (Group B)
- 2:40 PM ET — Switzerland vs USA (Group A)
- 3:10 PM ET — Canada vs Czechia (Group A)
Tuesday, February 10th (Group stage)
- 6:10 AM ET — Japan vs Sweden (Group B)
- 10:40 AM ET — Italy vs Germany (Group B)
- 2:10 PM ET — Canada vs USA (Group A)
- 3:10 PM ET — Finland vs Switzerland (Group A)
Olympic Hockey Schedule: Knockout Round
Friday, February 13th (Quarterfinals)
- 10:40 AM ET — TBD
- 3:10 PM ET — TBD
Saturday, February 14th (Quarterfinals)
- 10:40 AM ET — TBD
- 3:10 PM ET — TBD
Monday, February 16th (Semifinals)
- 10:40 AM ET — TBD
- 3:10 PM ET — TBD
Thursday, February 19th
- 8:40 AM ET — Bronze Medal Game
- 1:10 PM ET — Gold Medal Game
PWHL players made their voices heard this week, as The Athletic published the results of the third-year league's first-ever anonymous player poll on Wednesday, surveying athletes on everything from the best trash-talkers to which nation's team will win Olympic gold at next month's 2026 Winter Games.
Leading the poll's individual accolades is 34-year-old Team Canada and Montréal Victoire captain Marie-Philip Poulin, dubbed the PWHL's best player by 80% of respondents.
Poulin's Team USA counterpart, Seattle Torrent forward Hilary Knight, snagged second as each standout prepares for a fifth career Olympic run.
As for who will win gold in Italy, all but one player predicted a Canada vs. USA Olympic Final, with a 50/50 split on the eventual victor.
Athletes also answered overarching questions about the growing league in the player poll, with Detroit earning the most nods as a PWHL expansion city — though Denver and Chicago also scored double-digit votes.
As for the future face of the league, current New York Sirens forward and 2024 PWHL No. 1 draftee Sarah Fillier narrowly edged out current University of Wisconsin senior and Team USA Olympic defender Caroline Harvey in the players' poll.
Toronto Sceptres forward Emma Maltais beat out Montréal's Abby Roque by one vote for the title of top PWHL trash-talker, though most players tapped her for quantity over quality — an assessment Maltais herself agrees with.
"I'm not trash-talking," clarified the 26-year-old Canadian. "I'm just yapping."
Team USA is on a roll, officially taking the four-game 2025 Rivalry Series against Canada before the slate of friendlies is even over, with the US collecting three consecutive wins so far — and one shot left at making it a clean sweep.
The US downed their northern neighbors by a commanding 10-4 scoreline in Edmonton on Wednesday, marking Team USA's first-ever 10-goal victory against the reigning Olympic champs — all while upping the 2025 series' goal tally to 20-6.
While each team fine-tunes rosters ahead of the 2026 Olympics, one test remains for both international hockey titans before the Winter Games take the ice in February.
"The work doesn't stop. Our Olympic team is not named. There's still one more game to go," said USA captain Kendall Coyne Schofield, acknowledging that her squad is not taking their foot off the gas despite the recent lopsided results.
"We have one more game against them before the Olympics," echoed Canada captain Marie-Philip Poulin. "We're all aware of that."
How to watch Team USA vs. Canada in the 2025 Rivalry Series
The puck drops on the final match of the sixth annual hockey Rivalry Series between the USA and Canada in Edmonton, Alberta, on Saturday.
Live coverage of the clash will begin at 9 PM ET on the NHL Network.