The Women’s Ice Hockey Tournament at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 saw a thrilling moment as Switzerland staged a remarkable comeback against Czechia on February 6. In Group A action, Switzerland erased a two-goal deficit in the third period to force overtime and eventually win in a shootout, marking a significant achievement for the Swiss team and making headlines in the PWHL Olympic hockey highlights.
Trailing 3-1 in the final period, Switzerland’s Alina Müller, the captain of the Boston Fleet and a standout competitor, sparked the comeback by scoring a goal and assisting another, revitalizing her team’s hopes. The shootout extended to eight rounds, with Müller converting one of her two attempts to secure the 4-3 victory for Switzerland. Despite Czechia earning a single point from the shootout, they suffered their second consecutive loss in the preliminary rounds.
Key Performances and Milestones
Alina Müller’s performance was historic, as she notched her 13th Olympic goal, equaling Stefanie Marty for the most goals in the Olympic history of the Swiss Women’s National Team. Müller already leads as Switzerland’s top scorer at Olympic Winter Games and ranks among a select group of only 13 players to accumulate 25 career Olympic points.
For Czechia, emerging talents shone despite the loss. Rookie Kristýna Kaltounková from New York, who leads the PWHL with 11 goals, scored her first Olympic goal in just her second game, becoming the ninth player from the Czech National Women’s Team to achieve such a feat at the Winter Games. Montréal’s Natálie Mlýnková also continued her strong showing by earning points in each preliminary match.
Veteran players Klára Hymlárová of Minnesota and Kateřina Mrázová of Ottawa added assists in the game, each recording their first Olympic assists. Both had scored during the 2022 Olympic tournament, marking steady progress in their Olympic careers.
Additional Preliminary Round Results in Group B
Elsewhere in the tournament, Japan narrowly defeated France 3-2 by scoring two third-period goals that broke a 1-1 tie. This victory gave Japan an early lead in Group B standings, while France continued to struggle, remaining winless after two games.
Context and Significance of the Early Olympic Action
The early outcomes in the Women’s Ice Hockey Tournament highlight the intense competition and rising talent among nations and PWHL players. The encounters, including Switzerland’s comeback against Czechia and Japan’s narrow win over France, showcase the growing parity and unpredictability in this sport at the Olympic level.
Alina Müller’s record-equalling goal underlines the impact of PWHL Olympians on the tournament, while the strong performances of rookies from Czechia signal promising developments for future international ice hockey events. The fiercely contested matches set the stage for a tense and closely watched series as teams battle for medals in Milano Cortina.
Upcoming Matches and Broadcast Information
Fans can look forward to exciting follow-up games, including a highly anticipated clash between Canada and Switzerland scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on February 7. Coverage will continue through live reaction shows like “Jocks in Jills,” offering immediate recaps and analysis directly after the day’s contests on the PWHL YouTube channel.
The tournament remains a crucial platform for women’s hockey superstars to shine, building momentum for the sport within the PWHL and on the global stage, while testing the mettle of veterans and rookies alike.
“Boston’s Alina Müller led a third-period comeback for Switzerland with a goal and an assist in the final frame to erase a 3-1 deficit.” – PWHL Media
“She is already the top Olympic Winter Games scorer in program history and is one of only 13 players with 25 career points at the Olympic Winter Games.” – PWHL Media
“Kaltounková, who leads the PWHL with 11 goals, recorded her first goal in the second game of her Olympic career, becoming the ninth Czech National Women’s Team member to score a goal in the Olympic Winter Games.” – PWHL Media
“Hymlárová and Mrázová each recorded their first career Olympic Winter Games assists, with both players scoring in the 2022 tournament.” – PWHL Media
