USA‑Canada Men’s Final Set as U.S. Women Win Overtime Gold
Updated (32 articles)
Men’s Semifinals Crown USA and Canada for Gold Match On Feb 20 2026 the United States defeated Slovakia 6‑2 and Canada edged Finland 3‑2, securing the two spots in the Olympic men’s gold‑medal game scheduled for Sunday [1][4][7][9]. Jack Hughes, Jack Eichel and Brady Tkachuk each scored for the U.S., while Nathan MacKinnon delivered the decisive goal for Canada with 35 seconds remaining [1][9]. Both teams entered the tournament unbeaten in group play, guaranteeing they could not meet before the final [3][5].
USA’s Offensive Surge and Perfect Penalty Kill The Americans logged 39 shots to Slovakia’s 24, with Dylan Larkin opening the scoring, followed by Tage Thompson, two Hughes goals, an Eichel tally and a late Tkachuk strike [5][6]. Connor Hellebuyck guarded the net, allowing only two late goals, and the U.S. maintained a flawless 12‑for‑12 penalty‑kill throughout the tournament [5][6]. Coach Mike Sullivan bench‑ed Thompson in the third period as a precaution, but the team’s depth kept the lead unchallenged [3][6].
Canada’s Late‑Goal Rally Overcomes Finland After falling behind 2‑0, Canada rallied with a Sam Reinhart deflection, Shea Theodore’s blast and MacKinnon’s power‑play winner, the latter coming with 35 seconds left [9][4]. Sidney Crosby missed the semifinal due to a knee injury, leaving Connor McDavid to set an Olympic points record with two assists [9]. Canada outshot Finland 31‑8 after the early deficit, demonstrating dominance despite the injury concerns [9][7].
U.S. Women Secure Overtime Gold Over Canada On Feb 19 2026 the United States won the women’s final 2‑1 in sudden‑death overtime, with Megan Keller scoring four minutes into the 3‑on‑3 period [13][16][17]. Captain Hilary Knight tied the game in the third period, earning her 15th Olympic goal and the all‑time U.S. women’s record for goals and points [13][18][19]. The victory gave the U.S. its third Olympic women’s‑hockey gold and ended a 352‑minute shutout streak, the team having outscored opponents 31‑1 overall [16][18].
Hilary Knight’s Historic Milestones and Closing‑Ceremony Role Following the gold‑medal win, Knight was named one of two U.S. flag bearers for the Feb 22 closing ceremony, alongside ice‑dance champion Evan Bates [10]. In the same period she proposed to speed‑skater Brittany Bowe, making headlines beyond the rink [10]. Knight’s record‑breaking performance and personal milestones capped her fifth and final Olympic appearance [12][18][19].
Sources
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AP: U.S. and Canada Advance to Men’s Hockey Final at Milan 2026 Olympics: Photo gallery details the U.S. 6‑2 win over Slovakia and Canada’s 3‑2 victory over Finland, highlighting key scorers and a line‑person intervention .
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CNN: USA Advances to Gold‑Medal Hockey Showdown as Alex Ferreira Wins Freeski Gold: Emphasizes the U.S. men’s semifinal win, adds context of overall medal table and mentions Auston Matthews’ comments .
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AP: U.S. Beats Slovakia 6‑2, Sets Up Gold‑Medal Clash With Canada: Focuses on the U.S. offensive lineup, Thompson’s precautionary benching, and Hellebuyck’s goaltending .
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CNN: USA advances to Olympic men’s hockey final, Canada wins dramatic semifinal: Highlights both semifinals, includes freeski gold and U.S. mothers’ bobsleigh win .
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WBNS: USA Beats Slovakia 6-2, Advances to Olympic Gold Medal Game vs Canada: Stresses flawless 12‑for‑12 penalty kill and shot dominance .
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King5: USA Men’s Hockey Beats Slovakia 6‑2, Secures Olympic Gold‑Medal Spot: Mirrors WBNS details, adds specific Slovak scorer names .
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BBC: Canada‑USA Men’s Ice Hockey Final Sets Up Historic Olympic Showdown: Provides preview of the upcoming final, notes Canada’s pursuit of a 10th gold and U.S. quest for first since 1980 .
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8.
AP: Canada’s Top Women’s Curling Team Upset by Sweden, Men Await Gold Chance: Covers women’s curling upset and mentions Canadian men’s gold‑medal path .
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9.
AP: Canada Overcomes 2‑Goal Deficit to Beat Finland and Reach Olympic Gold‑Medal Game: Details Canada’s comeback, Crosby’s injury, and McDavid’s points record .
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10.
King5: Hilary Knight and Evan Bates to Carry U.S. Flag at 2026 Closing Ceremony: Announces flag‑bearers and Knight’s record‑breaking goal .
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AP: U.S. Wins Third Olympic Gold in Women’s Hockey, Overtime Goal Beats Canada: Summarizes women’s gold, Keller’s overtime winner, and Knight’s equalizer .
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AP: Knight’s final Olympic night sees Edwards tip‑off a gold‑winning moment: Highlights Knight’s final Games, engagement to Bowe, and Edwards’ role .
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CNN: Team USA Stages Overtime Comeback to Defeat Canada for Olympic Gold: Provides narrative of women’s final comeback and tournament dominance .
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WBNS: USA wins women’s hockey gold 2‑1 in overtime over Canada: Notes historic rivalry, Knight’s record, and tournament shutout streak .
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King5: USA clinches women’s hockey gold 2‑1 in overtime over Canada: Mirrors WBNS with additional detail on Poulin’s injury .
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BBC: U.S. Women’s Ice Hockey Wins Gold Over Canada in Overtime: Emphasizes overtime win, shutout streak, and rivalry context .
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AP: U.S. Wins Overtime 2‑1 Over Canada for Third Olympic Women’s Hockey Gold: Highlights Keller’s goal, Knight’s records, and Edwards’ debut .
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WBNS: Hilary Knight Sets U.S. Women’s Hockey Olympic Goal Record: Focuses on Knight’s goal record and flag‑bearer announcement .
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King5: Hilary Knight Sets U.S. Women’s Olympic Hockey Goal Record at Milan Cortina 2026: Reiterates Knight’s record and five‑Olympic appearance .
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WBNS: U.S. Women’s Curling Team Secures Semifinal Spot Over Switzerland: Details women’s curling win, upcoming semifinal, and mixed‑doubles medalist .
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Timeline
1998 – Women’s ice‑hockey makes its Olympic debut, launching the enduring Canada‑USA rivalry that will dominate future Games [14].
1960 – The United States defeats Canada in the men’s final, a victory that will not be repeated until 2026 [1].
1980 – The U.S. wins the men’s gold in the “Miracle on Ice,” its last men’s title before the 2026 tournament [1].
2014 – NHL players appear for the last time in the Olympics, making the 2026 Games the first since then to feature active NHL talent [1].
2025 – A Four Nations match erupts into three fights in the first nine seconds, heightening political tension ahead of the Milan‑Cortina Games [1].
Feb 16, 2026 – The United States and Canada are slated to meet for women’s gold, their seventh showdown since 1998, with captains Hilary Knight and Marie‑Philip Poulin possibly playing their final Olympics [30].
Feb 18, 2026 – The U.S. men defeat Sweden 2‑1 in overtime, Quinn Hughes scoring the winner to advance to the semifinals [23].
Feb 18, 2026 – Canada survives a 4‑3 overtime win over Czechia despite Sidney Crosby’s leg injury, securing a semifinal berth [23].
Feb 18, 2026 – Finland rallies to beat Switzerland 3‑2 in overtime, earning a spot in the men’s semifinals [23].
Feb 18, 2026 – Slovakia upsets Germany 6‑2, moving on to the men’s semifinal round [23].
Feb 18, 2026 – The U.S. men’s quarterfinal against Sweden is scheduled, marking the first Olympic participation by NHL players in 12 years [25].
Feb 18, 2026 – Hilary Knight returns for her fifth Olympics, calling the USA‑Canada rivalry “one of the most beautiful rivalries in sport” [29].
Feb 19, 2026 – The women’s gold‑medal game is set for Thursday, Feb 19, 1:10 PM ET at Milan’s Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, USA vs Canada [20].
Feb 19, 2026 – Hilary Knight ties then breaks the U.S. women’s Olympic goal record, becoming the all‑time leader with her goal in the gold‑medal game [17].
Feb 19, 2026 – Megan Keller scores four minutes into 3‑on‑3 overtime, giving the United States a 2‑1 win and its third Olympic women’s‑hockey gold [14].
Feb 19, 2026 – Team USA completes a dominant tournament, outscoring opponents 31‑1, posting five shutouts and a 331‑minute shutout streak [14].
Feb 19, 2026 – Knight says she hopes to cap her career with a gold‑medal win over Canada, describing the matchup as “the most beautiful rivalry in sport” [24].
Feb 19, 2026 – Hilary Knight and ice‑dance champion Evan Bates are named U.S. flag bearers for the Closing Ceremony on Feb 22 [12].
Feb 19, 2026 – The U.S. women’s curling team beats Switzerland 7‑6 in an extra end, securing a semifinal berth [19].
Feb 20, 2026 – The United States thumps Slovakia 6‑2 in the men’s semifinal, booking a gold‑medal clash with Canada; goals come from Jack Hughes, Jack Eichel and Brady Tkachuk [4].
Feb 20, 2026 – Canada rallies from a 2‑0 deficit to defeat Finland 3‑2, Nathan MacKinnon scoring the winner with 35 seconds left while captain Sidney Crosby remains doubtful with a knee injury [11][1].
Feb 20, 2026 – Alex Ferreira wins men’s freeski halfpipe gold with a decisive final jump, edging Estonia’s Henry Sildaru [3].
Feb 20, 2026 – Norway leads the overall medal table (37 medals), the United States sits second (29) and host Italy third (27) [3].
Feb 20, 2026 – IOC president Kirsty Coventry announces a review of an IOC member’s attendance at President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” meeting, underscoring the sport‑politics overlap [3].
Feb 20, 2026 – Political overtones intensify as President Donald Trump’s possible attendance at the men’s final could create a “political cauldron” [1].
Feb 20, 2026 – Women’s curling semifinals are set: Sweden vs Switzerland for gold and the United States vs Canada for bronze [10].
Feb 20, 2026 – The Closing Ceremony is scheduled for Feb 22 at Verona’s ancient Roman Arena, featuring 1,500 athletes and a “Beauty in Motion” performance [12].
Feb 21, 2026 – Canada and the United States prepare to clash in the men’s gold‑medal final on Sunday at 13:10 GMT, with Canada chasing a historic 10th title and the U.S. seeking its first since 1980 [1].
Feb 21, 2026 – USA captain Auston Matthews says the upcoming USA‑Canada final will require a full‑team effort, expressing confidence after the semifinal win [3].
Feb 21, 2026 – A photo gallery captures U.S. and Canadian celebrations following the semifinals, documenting the road to the gold‑medal showdown [6].
Feb 22, 2026 – The Closing Ceremony takes place at Verona’s Roman Arena, with Hilary Knight and Evan Bates carrying the U.S. flag [12].
Dive deeper (6 sub-stories)
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U.S. and Canada Secure Olympic Hockey Gold‑Medal Showdown After 6‑2 and 3‑2 Semifinal Wins
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Canada and USA Set for Olympic Hockey Gold Medal Showdown on Sunday
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U.S. Women’s Hockey Wins Third Olympic Gold in Overtime Over Canada
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Olympic Hockey Shifts to NHL‑Style 3‑on‑3 Overtime for Gold Medal
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- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a70226689/madison-chock-evan-bates-relationship-timeline/ (cited 1 times)
- https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/results/iho/w/team6-------------/fnl-/000100--/team-lineups (cited 1 times)
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