This February an incredible group of men and women competed in the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. This year, one particular sporting event was dominated by the Americans in both the men’s and women’s competitions. This sport was ice hockey. Let’s break down how both teams made their way to victory!
The men’s team had an amazing Olympic run. The men dominated in their preliminary games and continued to skate to victory as they advanced. Their first game was against Latvia, where they had a decisive 5-1 win. Next, they beat Denmark 6-3. Their dominance continued as they advanced. They were next matched with Germany and yet again dominated with a 5-1 win. Soon after that, they made their way into the quarter finals, playing Sweden and just pulling away a win in overtime, with an end score of 2-1. This close but victorious game led them to the semi-finals where they played Slovakia, winning 6-2. Finally, the gold medal game came. They were matched with a tough team: Canada. Canada is notorious for having an incredible ice hockey team, so the stakes were high. The game started with both teams shooting eight shots on goal, but only the Americans managed to get one in during the first period. Still, with time remaining in the first period, a Canadian player was sent to the penalty box for two minutes. This gave the Americans a two minute powerplay, but they were unable to secure a goal during that time. In the second period, the Americans played a more defensive game with eighteen goalie saves and only eight shots on net. The Canadians were able to get a goal off, tying the game one to one. An American player received a penalty, but the Canadians were unable to score in the powerplay. Finally, in the third period, with a score of 1-1, the players knew they would have to give everything they had to win. Throughout the whole period, neither team let up their intensity.
The Canadians were dominating slightly more than the Americans, with fourteen shots on goal, while the Americans had ten. Still, neither team was able to get a goal. Soon, time was up and the score was still 1-1. This meant overtime. Three players from each team, plus a goalie, prepared to play until a goal was scored. Only one minute and forty one seconds into overtime, American Jack Hughes scored the winning goal, leading the Americans to victory for the first time since 1980. This game was played on the anniversary of the 1980 victory of the Americans over the Russians, making this win even more special.
The women had an equally exciting and impressive Olympic appearance. They started the games off strong, handily beating Czechia 5-1. They continued to skate to victory, again defeating their second opponent, Finland, 5-0. Their next two games were just as strong, as they beat Switzerland 5-0, and Canada 5-0. Without a reason to doubt, they made their way to the quarter finals, defeating Italy 6-0. Finally, the semifinals came. Every moment on the ice mattered, and this team understood the assignment. They yet again locked in a victory beating Sweden 5-0. Soon enough, the Gold Medal Game came. They were matched with Canada for the second time in the games. Both the American and the Canadian ice hockey teams had an outstanding Olympics, as both the men’s and women’s teams for each country made it to this pivotal gold medal game. The puck was dropped and the buzzer sounded, the game began. The first period was back and forth with two penalties by the Americans and one by the Canadians. Neither team was able to get a goal in these powerplays or the regular 6v6.
The second period was equally as intense, with Canadian Kristin O’Neill scoring a shorthanded goal at the very beginning of the period. The Americans, who had greatly defeated this team before, were shocked, but this only fired them up to work even harder. In the third period, American Hilary Knight scored the US’s first goal of the game. Now tied, the two teams battled for the gold medal for the remaining time in the third period, yet neither was able to pull away. The buzzer sounded for the end of the game, but the score was still 1-1. This could only mean one thing–overtime. Three players from each team plus their goalies prepared to leave it all on the ice, so they could wear a gold medal. Both teams pulled their goalies at one point in the overtime, so they could add one other player, creating a powerplay. Though, neither powerplay worked. When both teams were at equal strength, (both goalies were in and three players from each team were on the ice) American Megan Keller scored the winning goal, with a Canadian player dragging behind her! The stadium erupted in cheers, as the team flung themselves together to celebrate their victory, with the final score of 2-1, USA.
Both the men’s and women’s American ice hockey teams had an incredible 2026 Olympic run, both defeating their long lasting rival, Canada, in overtime. We spectators will have to wait and see how Canada responds in the next winter Olympics.
By Elizabeth Barrette ‘29, Sports and Beauty Editor
