Team USA’s Thrilling 2-1 OT Victory Over Canada Ends Rivalry Drought and Sparks Patriotic Anthem Celebration
The United States women’s ice hockey team captured the gold medal at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics with a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory over arch-rival Canada.
Canada took a 1-0 lead in the second period on a shorthanded goal by Kristin O’Neill, which stood until late in the third when U.S. captain Hilary Knight deflected a shot to tie the game and force extra time.
In overtime, defender Megan Keller scored the golden goal just over four minutes in, slipping the puck past the Canadian goaltender after an incredible move around the defender to seal the comeback win. The crowd went absolutely wild. Chants of “USA! USA!” filled the arena.
This marks the U.S. team’s first Olympic gold in women’s hockey since 2018 and their third overall, ending Canada’s bid for back-to-back titles after their 2022 victory.
The dramatic triumph caps an undefeated run for the Americans in the tournament, reigniting their historic rivalry with Canada in yet another classic gold-medal showdown.
🚨 BREAKING: Olympic crowd goes absolutely BALLISTIC when US women’s hockey team scores a goal in overtime, BEATING Canada and winning the Olympic gold medal, 2-1
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) February 19, 2026
This is one of the BIGGEST rivalries in international sports.
CONGRATS, Team USA! 🇺🇸🥇 pic.twitter.com/IVHWB6jlcW
The gold medal ceremony saw players from the USA standing arm-in-arm on the ice, draped in American flags, and enthusiastically singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” together.
The crowd joined in. The incredible moment sparked an outpouring of praise on social media.
“Wow, winning in overtime and then (the) entire women’s hockey (team) singing the national anthem all together, plus the crowd, it was so moving!” one fan exclaimed.
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“THIS is how you do it! The USA Women’s Hockey team after they won the gold in overtime!” former pilot Buzz Patterson celebrated.
THIS is how you do it! The USA Women’s Hockey team after they won the gold in overtime!pic.twitter.com/I2JrqhpdeV
— Buzz Patterson (@BuzzPatterson) February 19, 2026
“Finally got to watch the women’s USA hockey team sing the anthem with their 🥇 and if that didn’t fill you with joy, pride, and patriotism, you’re really missing out,” another commented.
This patriotic moment comes after United States men’s hockey defenseman Quinn Hughes had a patriotic message following his sensational overtime game-winner against Sweden, which propelled Team USA to a 2-1 victory in the men’s hockey quarterfinals.
“It’s special,” he said, indicating he was a big fan of the American flags waving in the arena and the fans’ boisterous chants of “U-S-A!”
“I love the U.S., and it’s the greatest country in the world,” added Hughes. “So, I’m happy to represent here with these guys, and it was very special.”
Quinn Hughes scores winning OT goal says he loves representing the US because it’s the greatest country in the world. Finally, an Olympic athlete who loves the country! pic.twitter.com/yLyDOpBntE
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) February 19, 2026
His comments, as well as the women’s team’s reaction to the national anthem, stand in stark contrast to other U.S. Olympians, such as Hunter Hess, Amber Glenn, and Mikaela Shiffrin, who have happily bashed the country they represent.
The men’s team now advances to face Slovakia in the semifinals on Friday, while Canada prepares to take on Finland. Could we see these two countries face off again for gold?