Mollie Walker ‘Legend’ Hilary Knight playing hero one final time was most fitting Olympic ending possible By Mollie Walker Published Feb. 19, 2026, 8:04 p.m. ET Hilary Knight reacts after Team USA defeated Canada on Feb. 19. Getty Images MILAN — This gold medal clash between the United States’ and Canada’s women’s hockey teams was almost a shock on ice.
Team USA did not flinch once leading up to the Olympic finale Thursday night at Santagiulia Arena. Steamrolling every nation that stood in front of them by a combined margin of 31-1, the Americans projected an unshakable confidence in an unprecedented display of dominance through six near-perfect games.
