Feb 5, 2026; Milan, Italy; Hilary Knight (21) of Team United States celebrates with Alex Carpenter (25) and other teammates after scoring a goal against Team Czechia in women’s ice hockey Group A play during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
Team USA’s women’s hockey team has arrived at the 2026 Winter Olympics with one mission in mind: reclaim gold and settle unfinished business against Canada.
Four years after suffering a painful loss to their longtime rivals in the 2022 Olympic gold medal game, the Americans are back on the ice in Milano Cortina looking for redemption. With a roster stacked with experienced veterans and emerging young stars, the U.S. is once again viewed as one of the favorites to win it all.
The Americans opened Olympic play in dominant fashion on Thursday, Feb. 5, cruising past Czechia with a convincing 5-1 victory. Forward Hayley Scamurra led the offensive charge with two goals, helping Team USA seize early control. Captain Hilary Knight also made her presence felt, scoring late in the second period with a highlight-worthy top-shelf goal that pushed the lead to 4-1 and effectively ended any chance of a comeback. In net, goaltender Aerin Frankel was steady, stopping 13 of 14 shots and giving the U.S. a strong defensive foundation in its first game of the tournament.
Feb 5, 2026; Milan, Italy; Kristyna Kaltounkova (98) of Team Czechia controls the puck against Hayley Scamurra (16) of Team United States in women’s ice hockey Group A play during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Team USA’s women’s hockey program has been one of the most dominant in Olympic history. Since women’s hockey was introduced to the Olympics in 1998, only two countries have ever captured gold: the United States and Canada. The U.S. won the inaugural tournament in Nagano, but then watched Canada win four straight Olympic titles. That streak finally ended in 2018, when Team USA defeated Canada in a dramatic overtime thriller to claim gold in Pyeongchang.
Now, the Americans are hoping to capture their third Olympic gold medal and their first since 2018.
Heading into the Games, sportsbooks have reflected the familiar rivalry. The tournament is expected to be another two-team battle, with Team USA and Canada far ahead of the field. Other nations like Czechia and Sweden are considered long-shot contenders, but most experts believe the road to gold will once again run through the U.S.-Canada showdown.
Feb 5, 2026; Milan, Italy; Aerin Frankel (31) of Team United States makes a save against Team Czechia in women’s ice hockey Group A play during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
One reason for the confidence surrounding Team USA is the depth of talent on the roster. The team includes a strong mix of Olympic veterans and fresh faces. Knight is competing in her fifth Olympics, while speedster Kendall Coyne Schofield is making her fourth Olympic appearance. Defenders Megan Keller and Lee Stecklein also bring plenty of experience and leadership on the blue line. At the same time, rising stars such as Taylor Heise, Caroline Harvey, and Laila Edwards are getting their first Olympic opportunity, adding youthful energy to an already loaded lineup.
Next up, Team USA continues preliminary round action with a matchup against Finland on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 10:40 a.m. ET on USA Network. The Americans will then face Switzerland on Monday, Feb. 9, followed by the highly anticipated showdown against Canada on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
With a strong opening win and a roster built for a championship run, Team USA is off to a confident start as it continues its quest for Olympic gold.
