The United States women’s hockey team captured Olympic gold in dramatic fashion Thursday, defeating longtime rival Canada 2-1 after a tense overtime finish in Milan. Defenseman Megan Keller scored the championship-winning goal during 3-on-3 overtime, sealing a victory that capped off one of the most dominant tournaments in U.S. women’s hockey history.

Keller’s overtime winner was the defining moment of the gold medal game, but teammates were quick to emphasize that the victory was built on contributions across the roster. Veteran defenseman Lee Stecklein praised Keller’s composure under pressure, calling her a player capable of doing everything at an elite level. Keller’s decisive move in overtime, Stecklein said, was the kind of play only a confident and highly skilled defender could make in the biggest moment of her career.

The United States nearly saw the gold slip away in regulation before veteran star Hilary Knight delivered another signature performance. With the U.S. trailing late in the third period and the goalie pulled for an extra attacker, Knight deflected a shot from defenseman Laila Edwards into the net with 2:04 remaining. The goal tied the game and forced overtime, reviving Team USA’s chances when Canada seemed poised to claim the championship.

Knight later recalled feeling the momentum shift as soon as the play was drawn up by head coach John Wroblewski. She described the moment as one the team had been waiting for, a final opportunity to strike when it mattered most.

Canada had taken the lead earlier in the game when fourth-line forward Kristen O’Neill scored a short-handed goal early in the second period. The tally was especially notable because the U.S. defense had been nearly flawless throughout the tournament. Prior to the final, the Americans had allowed just one goal across all games. O’Neill’s score doubled that total, giving Canada its first real breakthrough against an otherwise airtight American squad.

Despite the early deficit, the U.S. remained resilient, relying heavily on standout goaltender Aerin Frankel. Frankel finished the game with 30 saves, several of them highlight-worthy, and kept the Americans within reach as their offense struggled to convert chances in regulation. Frankel had an extraordinary tournament overall, ending with a .980 save percentage and becoming the first goalie in Olympic history to record three shutouts in a single Games.

The victory also served as a storybook ending for Hilary Knight, who had announced last year that the Milan Olympics would be her final Games. At 36, Knight not only helped lead the U.S. to gold, but also became the most decorated player in the history of U.S. women’s hockey. Her tying goal in the third period set new Team USA Olympic career records for both goals and points — 15 goals and 33 points — surpassing all previous American players, men or women.

Knight’s teammates described her performance as “classic Hilary,” noting how often she has stepped up in high-pressure situations throughout her career. Kendall Coyne Schofield added that Knight’s final Olympic tournament seemed almost scripted, especially after she proposed to her partner, U.S. speedskater Brittany Bowe, just two days before the gold medal game.

Team USA’s roster featured a mix of experienced veterans and rising young stars, signaling a passing of the torch. Players like Caroline Harvey and Laila Edwards, both standouts from Wisconsin, were among the team’s leaders in ice time and production, helping anchor the next generation.

The Americans ended the tournament having allowed only two total goals, tying the fewest ever surrendered in a single Olympic women’s tournament. Their offensive depth was equally impressive, with 10 players recording at least five points — far more than any other nation.

The gold medal win further cemented the United States and Canada as the sport’s dominant forces. Since women’s hockey debuted at the Olympics in 1998, the two countries have claimed every gold and silver medal, and Milan was no exception.