This one was special.

Not just for the diehards. Not just for the red, white, and blue. But for every sports fan who believes in big moments. For every girl who was once told hockey was a “boys’ sport.” For anyone who ever doubted that women’s sports could command the spotlight.

On February 19 in Milan, women’s hockey didn’t just take the stage. It owned it.

The United States defeated Canada in a spectacular overtime victory to claim gold, capturing the nation’s third Olympic title and delivering a game that will live in hockey lore.

Grit From the First Puck Drop

From the opening faceoff at 1:10 p.m. ET, it was clear this would be a battle.

Canada came out flying. Fast. Calculated. Relentless. And Ann-Renee Desbiens was locked in from the start, her glove seemingly magnetized to every quality look the United States generated.

The arena felt like Ontario South. A sea of red jerseys overwhelmed the scattered pockets of blue. The building was deafening, a testament not just to the rivalry, but to how far the women’s game has come. In recent years, the Professional Women’s Hockey League has packed arenas across Canada, and that energy traveled well.

Canada struck first, and for two periods, it felt like they controlled the tempo. They clogged lanes, managed the puck, and leaned on experience.

But Aerin Frankel stood tall for the United States. Time and time again, she denied high-danger chances and kept the deficit at one. Without her, the game may have slipped away long before the third period.

Captain America Says Good Knight

Two periods down. One goal behind.

By the midway point of the third, the weight of it all grew heavier. This American team, praised as one of the most talented in decades, was staring at heartbreak yet again.

Then, with just over two minutes remaining, the moment arrived.

At 57:56, Laila Edwards, first-time Olympian and Wisconsin senior, fired a shot toward Desbiens. Before it could settle into the goalie’s chest, Badger legend Hilary Knight redirected it with surgical precision.

Tie game.

Storybook stuff.

In that instant, Knight etched her name even deeper into history, becoming the leading American scorer in Winter Olympic history and the all-time USA Hockey women’s points leader. Five Olympics. Countless moments. And perhaps none bigger than that deflection.

“It’s unbelievable,” Edwards said. “To be a small part of everything she has accomplished, I am so honored. To learn from her everyday is a blessing.” 

You could feel the shift. The air changed. The belief returned.

Overtime. Of Course.

Overtime between the United States and Canada felt inevitable. No shootout. No easy finish. Just two powerhouses trading chances, neither willing to blink.

Then came Megan Keller.

In a sequence full of confidence and creativity, Keller slid the puck between a defender’s legs to herself, cut through space, and lifted it over Desbiens and into the net.

“There was no way we were losing this game. That’s all. Simple as that.” Hilary Knight said post-game. 

Gold. Again.

Past. Present. Future.

The United States captured its third Olympic gold medal in women’s hockey, but this victory carried layers.

Hilary Knight may have skated in her final Olympic game, closing her legendary career with gold, records, and a legacy that reshaped the sport.

Laila Edwards made history as the first Black woman to win a medal with USA Hockey, assisted on Knight’s historic goal, and embraced a defensive role like she had owned it her entire life.

Caroline Harvey was named MVP of the Olympic tournament. The Wisconsin senior finished with two goals, seven assists, nine total points, and a gold medal — before her professional career has even begun.

Women’s hockey may not have always been at the top of every sports fan’s watchlist.

It is now.

And somewhere, in living rooms across the world, young girls watched that overtime winner and decided they want to be next.

The future of the game is bright. And it just proved it on the biggest stage.

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Going for Gold

USA and Canada Women’s Hockey set for fifth-straight Olympic gold medal showdown

It is the matchup everyone expected. And the one everyone wanted.

For the fifth-straight Olympic Games, the United States and Canada will meet with gold on the line.

Let’s take a look. First, a semifinal recap.

United States Rolls Sweden

Team USA is gold-medal-game-bound after its sixth-straight game scoring five or more goals at these Olympics. The Americans shut out Sweden 5–0 in the semifinals.

Cayla Barnes of Ohio State got things started just over five minutes into the matchup, queuing up “Free Bird” once again inside the arena. The former Buckeye defender continues to set the tone from the blue line.

Ohio State head coach Nadine Muzzerall, whom Barnes recently called her “most influential person,” was in attendance for the win.

Then came the Gophers.

Taylor Heise and Abbey Murphy scored back-to-back goals, stretching the lead and draining any hope of a Swedish comeback.

“It speaks for itself what we want and what we came here to do,” Ohio State junior forward Joy Dunne said. “I think we let the score speak for itself.”

And it absolutely does.

The United States looks unstoppable, and Big Ten school-affiliated athletes are a massive reason why. In the semifinal alone, players from conference schools accounted for 11 total points.

“It is right up there for sure,” Wisconsin senior Laila Edwards said. “This is one of the best groups I’ve been a part of.”

Locked in. Confident. One game away.

Canada Pulls out the Dub against the Swiss

Canada’s only real stumble of the tournament came earlier in preliminary play against the United States. Outside of that, the Canadians have been nearly perfect.

And when Marie-Philip Poulin is in the lineup, you can feel the difference.

“Captain Canada” struck twice Monday night in Milan, scoring the first two goals for the red, white, and black. Both tallies were assisted by former Wisconsin Badger Daryl Watts, with Ohio State Buckeye Sophie Jaques adding an assist as well. They went on to win, 2-1, and outshot the Swiss, 46-8.

Canada controlled puck possession, dictated pace, and never allowed Switzerland to settle into the game – despite an early Swiss goal that snuck past Ann-Renee Desbiens.

A Classic Rivalry Returns

For the fifth-straight Olympic gold medal game, the United States and Canada will face off. The streak dates back to Vancouver 2010, followed by Sochi 2014, PyeongChang 2018, and Beijing 2022.

The United States enters heavily favored. However, history belongs to Canada. The Canadians have captured five Olympic gold medals in women’s hockey, winning in 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2022. The United States has earned gold twice, in 1998 and 2018.

This matchup has stars everywhere.

Hannah Bilka and Caroline Harvey have been standouts for Team USA. Do not be surprised if one or both find the back of the net in the gold medal game. Harvey leads the entire Olympic tournament in points with nine on two goals and seven assists. Bilka follows closely in third with seven points, four goals, and three assists.

For Canada, Daryl Watts sits right behind Harvey in the tournament with eight points, on two goals and six assists. 

Watts has a history of delivering in the biggest moments. She scored the overtime game winner for Wisconsin in the 2021 national championship against current USA goaltender Aerin Frankel and Northeastern. She recently pulled off a similar move against Frankel in the PWHL as well.

Before transferring to Wisconsin, Watts became the first freshman to win the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award in 2018 at Boston College. She later stepped away from the game after graduating from Wisconsin, only to return and sign what was at the time the highest-paid contract in professional women’s hockey.

Big moments. Big history. Big stage.

The gold medal game pick drop is at 1:10 PM EST on February 19.

Clear your schedule. This one is going to be electric. 

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Women’s Hockey Quarterfinals Wrapped. Semifinals Up Next.

Four countries remain in the race for Olympic gold

The field is down to four. The intensity is up. And talent from Big Ten schools continues to shape the Olympic women’s hockey tournament in a major way.

Czechia vs. Sweden

Big Ten impact? Still going strong.

In Friday’s February 13 matchup at Milano Rho Arena, Sweden skated away with a 2–0 win over Czechia to punch its ticket to the semifinals.

Ohio State’s Hilda Svensson recorded an assist on Sweden’s opening goal. The Swedes were held to just that one for much of the game as a gritty Czechia squad threw everything it had onto the ice. Physical. Fast. Fearless against top-ranked teams all tournament long.

But Sweden held firm. Svensson sealed the deal with an empty-net goal to secure the 2–0 quarterfinal victory.

“We proved we can beat almost every team here, and we have a really good group,” Svensson said after the win. “Everyone loves each other in this group.”

Statement made. Semifinal secured.

USA vs. Italy

Team USA had scored five goals in every game of the tournament heading into the quarterfinals. Media and fans expected at least that number again.

They got six.

The United States rolled to a 6–0 win over Italy at Milano Rho Ice Arena, once again flexing offensive depth and defensive dominance.

The Americans outshot Italy 51–6.

Three Big Ten-affiliated athletes found the back of the net. Laila Edwards of Wisconsin, Britta Curl of Wisconsin and the Minnesota Frost, and Hannah Bilka of Ohio State and Seattle all scored. Nine assists on the night also came from Big Ten athletes.

“You really can’t shake us,” Ohio State’s Joy Dunne said postgame. “You are not going to get us knocked off our course by any means.”

The message was clear. This group is locked in.

Canada vs. Germany

Big Ten star power showed up north of the border, too.

Daryl Watts and Emma Maltais helped lead Canada to a 5–1 win over Germany in quarterfinal play.

Just over a minute into the game, Buckeyes Emma Maltais and Sophie Jaques assisted on the opening goal to set the tone early.

Watts added two assists on the night, contributing to the third and fifth goals as Canada steadily pulled away.

Veteran poise. Big Ten roots. Semifinal bound.

Finland vs. Switzerland

This one was all about resilience.

Despite being outshot 40–14, Switzerland is heading to the semifinals.

While Alina Müller provided the offense, it was former Ohio State goaltender Andrea Brändli who completely took over the game. Brändli stood on her head, stopping all 40 shots she faced in a shutout performance that sent the Swiss through.

When your goalie is that locked in, anything is possible.

Four Remain

The women’s semifinals take place February 16. The two winners will face off for gold on February 19.

Semifinal one features Team USA vs. Sweden.
Semifinal two pits Canada against Switzerland.

Four teams remain. One gold medal left. And Big Ten athletes are right at the center of it all.

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United States Rolls Canada in Preliminary Matchup, 5–0

How Big Ten stars showed up in a statement win

Inside Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Tuesday night, fans traded thunderous chants in support of Team USA and Team Canada, turning a preliminary matchup into something that felt far bigger.

The Big Ten’s presence was everywhere, with 15 athletes wearing red, white, and blue, and nine skating for the red, white, and black.

The rivalry energy made it feel closer to a gold medal game than an early-round contest. Former collegiate teammates were now meeting each other at full speed along the boards, with nothing held back.

When the opening puck dropped, the arena went from a roar to what felt like a whisper. Both fan bases waited, jaws clenched, to see who would strike first.

Badgers. Buckeyes. Gophers. Oh My.

Caroline Harvey was the one to break through. The Badger captain pulled off a toe drag, ripped a shot past Canadian goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens, and followed it up with a fanning-herself-down celebration that instantly became an absolute classic.

USA Captain and former Badger Hilary Knight assisted on Harvey’s goal, which tied her for the most career points in U.S. Olympic Women’s Hockey history. She’s also currently tied for the USA Hockey scoring record in the Olympic Games with 14. 

Former Ohio State Buckeye Hannah Bilka led the charge for the United States, scoring twice in the win. Both goals were beautifully set up by Harvey and Abbey Murphy, who once again made highlight-reel assists look easy . A member of the 2024 Buckeye national championship team, Bilka lit the lamp for the second and fourth goals of the night.

“It really feels like we have four forwards out there,” Bilka noted when asked about defender Caroline Harvey. “It’s really fun to play when she’s on the ice.” 

Another Badger, Kirsten Simms, added to the fun in the second period. If the name sounds familiar, it should. Simms scored the unforgettable penalty-shot, game-winning goal in overtime for Wisconsin during the 2025 national championship. This time, she buried another one behind the Canadian netminder on the Olympic stage.

“It’s the commitment of the group,” Simms said about the team’s chemistry. “We’re a very dialed in group.”

Laila Edwards tallied her first goal of the Olympics for the last goal of the game.

It was clear from puck drop that the young talent on Team USA came to do one thing and one thing only: win.

Quick Hits

• Active Wisconsin hockey players had a hand in all five goals, whether it be scoring or assisting.
• Laila Edwards' goal makes her the first black female to ever score for Team USA.
• USA outshot Canada, 33-20.
• Canada was missing its top player, Marie-Philip Poulin.
• The USA-Canada matchup was the first Olympic game to feature two black women playing against one another.

Fly Free Bird

Canada never found its rhythm, and a mix of unlucky bounces and costly penalties left the veteran squad beaten at its own game.

At this point, it feels like there is no slowing down Team USA’s push toward gold next week. If legendary Canadian goalie Desbiens couldn’t stop “Free Bird” from blasting through the arena speakers, it is hard to imagine who can.

The United States will enter the Olympic quarterfinals rolling with confidence and momentum on its side. But these two teams will likely cross again in the later rounds… Stay tuned. 

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