beyond the back page How Team USA battled chaos, nerves and expectations to win the ultimate OIympic prize By Madeline Kenney Published Feb. 20, 2026, 7:40 a.m. ET The U.S. women's hockey team celebrates its overtime victory to win the gold medal in Milan, Italy on Feb. 19, 2026. Getty Images Blue gloves and hockey sticks flew in the air like confetti.
Hilary Knight skated toward the red, white and blue mosh pit on the ice after Megan Keller’s epic game-winning goal in overtime.
The U.S. women’s hockey team, the heavy favorites to win it all at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, ultimately did what everyone expected it to do Thursday afternoon when it clinched the goal medal with a 2-1 win against rival Canada.
It wasn’t easy. Thursday’s win tested the Americans in a way they hadn’t been throughout the Winter Games.
