February 16, 2026 l Dalena Reporters
In a classic North American rivalry renewed, Canada and the United States have both advanced to the gold medal game in women’s ice hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, setting the stage for one of the most anticipated matchups of the Games.
How They Got There
Canada secured its place in the final with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Switzerland in Monday’s semifinal, powered by standout performances from captain Marie-Philip Poulin who not only scored both goals but also became the all-time leading scorer in Olympic women’s ice hockey history.
Meanwhile, the United States rolled to a commanding 5–0 win versus Sweden in the other semifinal earlier the same day, with goals from key players including Cayla Barnes, Taylor Heise, Abbey Murphy, Kendall Coyne Schofield, and Hayley Scamurra. Goalie Aerin Frankel posted a shutout as the U.S. squad continued its dominant tournament performance.
A Rivalry Renewed
The Canada-U.S. matchup is one of the most storied rivalries in women’s hockey — these two teams have met in the Olympic gold medal game at nearly every Games since the sport’s introduction in 1998, and both nations have shared all seven gold medals between them.
Canada has historically held an edge in Olympic women’s hockey, winning multiple titles, while the United States has claimed a string of recent world championships and posted strong form in Milan. The final will mark another chapter in this intense rivalry when the two teams face off later this week for Olympic gold.
The gold medal game scheduled for Thursday, February 19, 2026 promises elite-level competition featuring veteran leaders against deep, well-balanced rosters on both sides. As always, the stakes are high, with Olympic glory and national pride on the line in one of the Winter Games’ premier showdowns.
Fans and hockey purists alike are preparing for a thrilling finale to one of the most competitive tournaments in recent Olympic history a fitting crescendo to a rivalry that has defined women’s sport for decades.