The preliminary round of the Women’s Ice Hockey Tournament at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 has wrapped up, with all 61 PWHL Olympians advancing to the quarterfinals scheduled for Friday and Saturday. The round showcased standout performances from several PWHL players, setting an exciting stage for the upcoming playoff matches.
Dominant Canadian Victory Over Finland
Canada delivered an impressive 5-0 win against Finland, securing second place in Group A. Emily Clark from Ottawa scored two crucial goals in the third period, while New York’s Kristin O’Neill contributed a goal and an assist. Early in the game, Vancouver’s Jenn Gardiner scored her first Olympic goal, which ultimately proved to be the game-winner. Toronto’s Daryl Watts added a second-period goal to extend Canada’s lead. Six players assisted on the Canadian goals, led by Seattle’s Julia Gosling and Montréal’s Laura Stacey, each with two assists. Other contributors included Sarah Fillier, Sophie Jaques, Ella Shelton, and Blayre Turnbull.
In goal, Ann-Renée Desbiens of Victoire recorded a shutout with 17 saves, marking her second win of the tournament. With Marie-Philip Poulin sidelined due to injury, Charge captain Brianne Jenner served as team captain for the second consecutive game. Finland’s rookie goaltender Sanni Ahola made 18 saves, while Boston’s Susanna Tapani returned after an injury absence. Both teams will play their quarterfinal games on Saturday, with Canada facing Germany and Finland taking on Switzerland.
Noteworthy Records and Player Milestones
Desbiens matched a Canadian Olympic record by earning her eighth career victory, joining Kim St-Pierre and Shannon Szabados among the top goaltenders. She also became the fifth Canadian goalie to register two or more career shutouts, a milestone also reached by teammate Emerance Maschmeyer earlier in the tournament. Sarah Fillier reached 15 career Olympic points, becoming the 15th Canadian woman to do so, while Laura Stacey reached 10 career points. Both Jenn Gardiner and Sophie Jaques registered their first career Olympic points in this event. Michelle Karvinen of Vancouver and Finland played her 28th Olympic game, poised to tie the all-time record on Saturday.
Among all competitors, PWHL players accounted for half of the top 32 scorers during the preliminary round, emphasizing their critical impact in this Olympic campaign.
Upcoming Quarterfinal Matchups and Key Contenders
The quarterfinals will begin Friday with Czechia facing Sweden at 10:40 a.m. ET. Montréal rookie Natálie Mlýnková leads Czechia with four points in four games, having scored three of the country’s seven goals. New York’s Kristýna Kaltounková has also been effective, posting a goal and an assist in her Olympic debut. Czechia, featuring eight PWHL players, hopes to secure its first Olympic medal following strong recent finishes, including seventh place at the 2022 Olympics and back-to-back bronze medals at the Women’s Worlds.
Sweden had a flawless preliminary round, outscoring opponents 18-2 in Group B, led by four PWHL players: Toronto’s Sara Hjalmarsson, Montréal’s Lina Ljungblom, New York’s Maja Nylén Persson, and Sceptres’ captain Anna Kjellbin. Despite reaching the medal round in six consecutive Olympics, Sweden’s medals tally remains at two, with bronze in 2002 and silver in 2006.
At 3:10 p.m. ET Friday, the United States will take on Italy. The U.S., carrying 16 PWHL athletes, dominated in the preliminary phase, outscoring opponents 20-1. Seattle’s Hannah Bilka and Alex Carpenter lead the team with three goals apiece, supported by captain Hilary Knight, who has amassed five points, tying the American all-time Olympic goal and point records. Boston’s goaltender Aerin Frankel has contributed three wins and two shutouts. Italy, led by Toronto’s Kristin Della Rovere, secured its first Olympic quarterfinal appearance with a team-high four points. This marks significant progress since their 2006 Winter Games performance, where they were heavily outscored.
Saturday’s Remaining Quarterfinal Battles
On Saturday, Canada will face Germany at 10:40 a.m. ET, followed by Finland against Switzerland at 3:10 p.m. ET. These matchups will decide which teams move on to the semifinals, where the stakes continue to rise in the quest for Olympic medals.
The Broader Implications of PWHL Players’ Olympic Impact
The significant presence and performance of PWHL players underline the growing influence of the league on international women’s hockey. Their contributions not only highlight individual skill and dedication but also elevate the competitive standard of the tournament. As the quarterfinals approach, anticipation builds around their roles in shaping the outcomes and potential medal winners at Milano Cortina 2026.
“Emily Clark to play in third Olympics for Team Canada means everything.”
?CKOM
“Hannah Bilka Could Be North Texas’ First Homegrown Hockey Superstar.”
?D Magazine
“Vancouver Goldeneyes bring Olympic fans together to cheer on the Canadian women’s hockey team.”
?CBC
As the 2026 Milan Cortina Games continue, sports journalist Christine Brennan says the launch of a women's professional ice hockey league in North America is enhancing the quality of the national teams in the Olympics.
"I think the quality gets better every day, especially in… pic.twitter.com/d5iGL5AQD4
— PBS News (@NewsHour) February 10, 2026
