- The United States and Canada will meet for Olympic gold in women's hockey for the seventh time since the sport debuted at the 1998 Winter Olympics, renewing one of the Games' fiercest rivalries at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
- The Americans enter the final as favorites after a dominant 6-0 run, including a 5-0 semifinal win over Sweden and have yet to trail in the tournament while outscoring opponents 31-1.
- Canada advanced with a 2-1 win over Switzerland, led by captain Marie-Philip Poulin, who scored twice to set a new Olympic career record with 20 goals.
- The U.S. has extended a shutout streak of more than 331 minutes behind goaltender Aerin Frankel, while Canada is embracing an underdog role after a 5-0 preliminary-round loss to the Americans.
- The final could mark the last Olympic appearance for U.S. captain Hilary Knight, with the Americans seeking their third gold medal and Canada aiming for its sixth.
The United States and Canada are headed for another Olympic showdown, renewing a rivalry that has defined the sport since its debut at the 1998 Winter Olympics.
According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the women's hockey final slated at 1:10 p.m. ET Thursday, Feb. 19, marks the seventh time the U.S. and Canada will battle for gold in the event. Canada has won the gold five times, while the U.S. has won twice. The only time these two teams didn't battle for gold was in 2006 as the U.S. got stunned by Sweden in the semifinal.
This time, the Americans are the favorites to win it all.
The U.S. secured its berth with a commanding 5-0 semifinal win over Sweden on Monday, Feb. 16, improving to 6-0 in the tournament while outscoring opponents 31-1. Canada followed with a 2-1 victory over Switzerland, powered by captain Marie-Philip Poulin, who scored twice to set a new Olympic career goals record with 20.
Poulin, competing in her fifth Olympics and further cementing her "Captain Clutch" reputation, acknowledged the Americans' recent success.
"Obviously, we know they're a talented team. They've had a lot of success this year, obviously against us, and we're all aware of that," Poulin said. "For us as a group, it's going to be all about us, all about our heart and everything we're going to put on that ice."
Americans rolling, Canadians embrace underdog role
The U.S. has yet to trail in the tournament and has not been tied beyond 0-0.
Goaltender Aerin Frankel recorded her third shutout in the semifinal, extending the Americans' shutout streak to more than 331 minutes. Abbey Murphy, Kendall Coyne Schofield and Hayley Scamurra scored on three consecutive shots late in the second period to break open what had been a tight contest.
"I think we're looking incredible," Scamurra said. "I don't even think we're at the peak, but I think our peak is getting that gold medal in hand."
Canada, the defending Olympic champion, has faced more turbulence. The Canadians suffered a 5-0 loss to the U.S. in preliminary play – the first shutout and most lopsided defeat in Canada's Olympic history. Poulin missed that game with a knee injury.
Despite outside doubts, Canadian defender Renata Fast said the team is embracing the underdog narrative.
"I personally love the underdog mentality," Fast said. "There's been tons of belief in the locker room. This is the moment we have been fighting for."
Now the stage is set for another chapter in the sport's fiercest rivalry. The U.S. is seeking its third Olympic gold after titles in 1998 and 2018, while Canada is chasing its sixth.
The final could also mark the last Olympic meeting between two iconic captains: Poulin and U.S. star Hilary Knight, who has announced this will be her fifth and final Games.
"Nothing matters. It's the gold medal game," said American forward Taylor Heise. "We're going to do what we need to do on Thursday and hopefully come out on top."
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