Team USA’s women’s hockey squad has advanced to the gold medal game at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, set to compete against their longtime rival Canada on Thursday. As the highly anticipated showdown approaches, top U.S. men’s players Auston Matthews and Matthew Tkachuk have expressed strong support for the women’s team, highlighting their remarkable journey and skill.
Unstoppable Performance Propels USA to Olympic Championship Game
The American team has dominated throughout the tournament, entering the final undefeated with six straight wins and a commanding overall score of 31-1. Their defense has been especially impressive, with five consecutive shutouts and a shutout streak extending over 331 minutes, showcasing one of the most formidable defensive runs seen at the Olympics.
In a statement victory on February 10, Team USA shut out Canada 5-0, marking Canada’s first-ever shutout loss in Olympic history and intensifying anticipation for their upcoming gold medal rematch.
Auston Matthews praised the women’s team’s determination and talent, stating,
“Watching them, being around them, they’re a very determined group. There’s a lot of high-end players there. Some girls that have been around for a little bit & some that are coming up that are extremely impressive. We’re rooting for them big on Thursday,”
Matthews said.
Matthew Tkachuk also applauded the team’s superior level of play, noting,
“They’ve been beating everybody pretty easily but it’s because of how well they’ve been playing, it has nothing to do with their opponents,”
and added,
“They’ve been playing at a level women’s hockey, from what I’ve heard, hasn’t seen in many, many years.”
Key Players Driving USA’s Success in the Tournament
Offensive leaders Caroline Harvey, Alex Carpenter, and Hilary Knight have been instrumental throughout the games. Knight notably tied the record for the most career points (32) in U.S. Olympic women’s hockey, underscoring her ongoing impact in the sport.
Despite America’s dominant play, Canada remains a formidable adversary, having won five of the past seven Olympic gold medals. The reigning champions, Canada defeated the U.S. 3-2 in the 2022 Beijing final, adding another layer of intensity to the rematch.
Canada’s Return to Full Strength Ahead of Final Showdown
Canada’s earlier loss to the United States came without captain Marie-Philip Poulin, who was sidelined due to a right knee injury. Poulin has since returned, making an immediate impact in the semifinals by scoring both goals in a narrow 2-1 victory against Switzerland, despite Canada trailing in shot count 8-46.
Setting the Stage for a Historic Rivalry at the 2026 Winter Olympics
With preparations complete, the stage is set for another intense chapter in the storied Canada-USA women’s hockey rivalry. The gold medal contest will take place Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 1:10 PM ET, promising a highly competitive and emotionally charged conclusion to the tournament.
Auston Matthews: "Watching them, being around them, they're a very determined group. There's a lot of high-end players there. Some girls that have been around for a little bit & some that are coming up that are extremely impressive. We're rooting for them big on Thursday." https://t.co/B9z3Oq7V6B
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) February 18, 2026
Matthew Tkachuk on USA women hockey: "They've been beating everybody pretty easily but it's because of how well they've been playing, it has nothing to do with their opponents. They've been playing at a level women's hockey, from what I've heard, hasn't seen in many, many years."
— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) February 17, 2026
