U.S. Women’s Hockey Set for Gold‑Medal Clash with Canada on Feb 19
Updated (4 articles)
Final Scheduled for Feb 19 with USA Facing Canada The gold‑medal game will be played Thursday, Feb. 19 at 10:10 a.m. PT in Milan‑Cortina, pitting the United States against Canada in their seventh Olympic showdown since 1998 [1][3][4]. The matchup will air live on USA Network, Peacock, and NBC Olympics streaming platforms [1]. Both squads have emphasized the historic rivalry and the personal stakes of the contest [2][3].
U.S. Team Enters Final as Dominant Tournament Leader Team USA is unbeaten (6‑0), has outscored opponents 31‑1, and extended a shutout streak to 331 minutes 23 seconds, recording five consecutive blankings after the opening 5‑1 win over Czechia [1][2][4]. Goaltender Aerin Frankel posted her third shutout of the tournament, while forwards Murphy, Coyne Schofield, Scamurra, Barnes and Heise each added goals, illustrating depth across the roster [4]. The Americans aim to capture a third Olympic gold after a 3‑2 loss to Canada in 2022 [1].
Veteran Captains Knight and Poulin Poised for Possible Last Olympic Game U.S. captain Hilary Knight, 36, will compete in her fifth and announced final Olympics, while Canadian captain Marie‑Philip Poulin, also likely in her last Games, entered the tournament after recovering from a right‑knee injury [2][3][4]. Knight holds ten IIHF World Championship gold medals and the all‑time record for goals, assists and points, whereas Poulin set the Olympic career goal record with 20 and scored three goals in two games this Olympics [2][4]. Their long‑standing “Captain America” vs. “Captain Clutch” rivalry dates back to Vancouver 2010 and adds a personal narrative to the final [2].
Seattle Torrent Players Contribute Eleven Goals in Six Games Forward Hilary Knight and Seattle‑based teammates Alex Carpenter (3 goals), Hannah Bilka (4 goals) and Cayla Barnes (2 goals) have combined for 11 of the United States’ 31 tournament goals [1]. Knight scored in the opening win over Czechia and again versus Finland; Carpenter’s tally came against Czechia, Finland and Switzerland; Bilka netted twice against Switzerland, twice against Canada and once against Italy; Barnes added goals versus Italy and Sweden [1]. Their production underscores the impact of the new PWHL franchise on the national team [1].
Canada Overcame Injury to Secure Gold‑Medal Spot After missing the U.S. 5‑0 preliminary loss, Poulin returned to score twice in a 5‑1 quarter‑final win over Germany and added another two in a 2‑1 semifinal victory over Switzerland, propelling Canada to the final [4][2]. Goaltender Ann‑Renee Desbiens made seven saves in the semifinal, while the team’s overall resilience highlighted their ability to rebound from early setbacks [4]. Poulin’s comeback and scoring surge have been central to Canada’s path to the gold‑medal game [2].
Sources
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1.
King5: U.S. Women’s Hockey Set for Gold‑Medal Clash with Canada – Details the Feb. 19 final schedule, USA’s shutout streak, Seattle Torrent players’ scoring, and broadcast options .
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2.
AP: Hilary Knight’s Final Olympic Showdown Against Canada – Focuses on Knight’s career goals, USA’s dominant statistics, Poulin’s injury return, and the historic captain rivalry .
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King5: Hilary Knight heads Team USA into fifth Olympic gold‑medal showdown – Highlights Knight’s fifth Olympics, her World Championship records, personal reflections, and the Feb. 19 game timing .
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4.
King5: U.S. and Canada set for seventh Olympic women’s hockey gold showdown – Provides tournament overview, USA’s 31‑1 scoring margin, Poulin’s potential final Games, and both teams’ preparation for the decisive match .
Timeline
1998 – Women’s ice hockey makes its Olympic debut in Nagano, launching a rivalry where the United States and Canada meet in the gold‑medal game seven of eight Olympics, establishing a historic contest that shapes future tournaments. [4]
2010 – Hilary Knight makes her Olympic debut for Team USA in Vancouver, beginning a career that will span five Winter Games and cement her as a central figure in the USA‑Canada rivalry. [3]
2016 – Knight helps the United States capture Olympic gold at the PyeongChang Games, adding a major milestone to her résumé and reinforcing the USA’s competitive edge over Canada. [3]
2018 – The United States wins its second Olympic women’s hockey gold, further intensifying the rivalry with Canada, which holds five Olympic titles to date. [2]
2022 – Canada defeats the United States 3‑2 in the gold‑medal game, ending a U.S. winning streak and setting the stage for a redemption narrative heading into Milan‑Cortina 2026. [2]
Feb 2026 (group stage) – Team USA dominates the tournament, posting five consecutive shutouts and outscoring its six opponents 31‑1; the squad extends a shutout streak to 331 minutes 23 seconds while goalie Aerin Frankel records her third shutout. [4]
Feb 2026 (semifinals) – After a 5‑0 preliminary loss to the United States, Canada rebounds with a 2‑1 semifinal win over Switzerland, propelled by captain Marie‑Philip Poulin’s return from a right‑knee injury and her two goals, while goalie Ann‑Renee Desbiens makes seven saves. [4]
Feb 18, 2026 – Hilary Knight tells KING 5, “There’s really nothing like it when you throw on the USA jersey…representing your country on the world stage…is just so special, so magical,” and calls the USA‑Canada matchup “one of the most beautiful rivalries in sport,” underscoring her emotional drive for a final gold. [3]
Feb 18, 2026 – Knight says she hopes to cap her career with a gold‑medal win over Canada, framing the upcoming final as her last Olympic showdown and highlighting the “Captain America” vs. “Captain Clutch” narrative that has defined the rivalry since Vancouver 2010. [1]
Feb 19, 2026 – The United States and Canada meet for the gold‑medal game at 10:10 a.m. PT in Milan‑Cortina, a contest that may be the final Olympic appearance for both captains—Knight and Poulin—and is broadcast live on USA Network, Peacock, and NBC Olympics platforms. [2][3][4]
Feb 19, 2026 (pre‑game) – Seattle Torrent players, including Knight, Alex Carpenter, Hannah Bilka and Cayla Barnes, account for 11 of Team USA’s 31 tournament goals, illustrating the impact of the new PWHL franchise on the national squad. [2]
Future (post‑game) – Should the United States win, Knight retires after five Olympic appearances, while Poulin, the Olympic career‑goal leader with 20 goals, also faces retirement, closing a decade‑long captain rivalry that began in 2010. [4]
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