MILAN, Italy – Canada's Women’s Olympic Team opened the scoring, but dropped a 2-1 decision in overtime to the United States on Thursday to finish with a silver medal at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
After a scoreless first period, Canada capitalized on a shorthanded opportunity 54 seconds into the middle frame. Laura Stacey (Kleinburg, ON/Montreal, PWHL) found a trailing Kristin O’Neill (Oakville, ON/New York, PWHL) in the slot, and she slipped a backhand behind American netminder Aerin Frankel.
“There are a lot of emotions, but I am really proud of the way my team played. I am very sad with the result because we came so close to winning, but I am grateful to be in this situation and I’m proud of the way we represented Canada,” O’Neill said. “I am not surprised with the way we played tonight, because this team always brings its best in these big moments. We have so much experience in our room and we really showed that tonight.”
Canada held onto the one-goal advantage until the U.S. pulled Frankel for an extra attacker with 2:23 remaining in regulation and scored the equalizer to send the game to three-on-three overtime. Megan Keller beat Ann-Renée Desbiens (Clermont, QC/Montreal, PWHL) 4:07 into extra time for the game-winner. Desbiens was stellar in net for Canada, finishing with 31 saves.
“I think the benefit of having an experienced group is that they know how to put things into perspective. We can’t get caught up in the outside noise and what people say about us; we can only focus on the commitment to play the right way,” said Troy Ryan (Spryfield, NS/Toronto, PWHL). “For those who have questioned this group, I hope once again they’ve shown why they deserve the credit they’ve earned playing together over the years. We don’t get too caught up in the noise, it comes with the territory and I’m definitely proud of this group.”
Following the gold medal game, Marie-Philip Poulin (Beauceville, QC/Montreal, PWHL) was named Best Forward and was also named to the media all-star team. Poulin etched her name in the history books once again Thursday, breaking the record for the most games played by a Canadian at the Olympic Winter Games with 27.
“We wanted to play in-your-face, relentless hockey and that’s what we did,” Poulin said. “We knew it was going to be a battle from both teams. It’s Canada and the U.S. in the gold medal game—it’s one of the best rivalries in sport. Obviously, we came up short, but I’m really proud of this group.”
A full game summary can be found at HockeyCanada.ca.
Canada finished second in the Group A standings with a 3-0-0-1 record in the preliminary round, defeating Switzerland, Czechia and Finland and recording its only loss against the United States. Canada booked its spot in the gold medal game with a 5-1 win over Germany in the quarterfinals and a 2-1 semifinal win over Switzerland.
At the Olympic Winter Games, Canada’s Women’s Olympic Team has won five gold medals (2022, 2014, 2010, 2006 and 2002) and three silver medals (2026, 2018, 1998).
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