MILAN - The U.S. women’s hockey team captured the gold medal at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Thursday, defeating Canada two-one in a resilient overtime victory. Megan Keller scored the game-winning goal just over 4 minutes into the extra period after Hilary Knight tied the match late in regulation.
While trailing 1-0 in the closing minutes of the 3rd period, the Americans pulled their goaltender in the final minutes and would tie the game on a goal from Hilary Knight. Knight’s tying goal not only gave the U.S. new life but also made her the all-time leading Olympic goal scorer in U.S. women’s hockey history with 15 career goals.
Before the final, the U.S. roster had outscored its first six opponents 31-1. The team did not allow a goal for 16 consecutive periods leading up to the gold-medal match. Canada entered the match having won five of the seven available Olympic gold medals in women’s hockey history. However, the Americans had recently won the world championships and swept four Rivalry Series games against Canada earlier this winter. This included a 5-0 shutout of Canada during the final game of group play in Milan.
It’s the 3rd gold medal for the U.S. all-time, and mirrors 2018’s win against Canada in which the Americans trailed by one going into the final period and went on to win.