USA vs. Canada in Milan: Women's Hockey Preview

Joseph McLaughlin
1 day ago
4 min read

by Joseph McLaughlin

Sportz Nation - 2/10/26

One of the greatest rivalries in sports will get another chapter as Team USA prepares to face Team Canada this afternoon in the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. It is a rivalry that has headlined women's hockey since its introduction to the Winter Olympics in 1998. Since that introduction, the gold medal has not left North America, with all but one gold medal game (In 2006, when Canada defeated Sweden) being between the Americans and the Canadians.

That includes the Gold Medal Game in Beijing 2022, when Canada defeated the United States 3-2 for its fifth gold medal. In that game, Marie-Philip Poulin scored the game-winner that gave Canada a 3-0 lead it would not relinquish. Now, the two nations meet for the 194th time, both headlining a stacked Group A pool. It is safe to say a win for either of these teams will give them an advantage going into the tournament bracket.

Keys to the Game: USA

Photo Credit: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images.

Currently, Team USA sits at a perfect 3-0 in preliminary play. Dominant wins over Czechia (5-1), Finland (5-0), and Switzerland (5-0) have placed the Americans at the top of the pack in Group A. A big reason for this is a combination of a high-powered offense and lights-out goaltending.

Starting with the offensive side of the puck, the U.S. boasts powerful skaters from both the Professional Women's Hockey League and NCAA Division I colleges. Current Seattle Torrent forward Alex Carpenter currently leads Team USA in goals scored, scoring one goal in each of the U.S.'s three games thus far. Carpenter has done great to set the tone for her American teammates, and her scoring capabilities instantly make her a threat.

Carpenter, paired with her Torrent teammate, Hilary Knight have been unstoppable. Knight recently made Team USA history in America's matchup with Finland, tying the U.S. Olympic scoring record with 14 goals scored across her five Olympic appearances. Knight has not only been an amazing scorer, scoring two goals in this year's Olympics so far, but she has also been a playmaker for her teammates, notching two assists in Monday's 5-0 win over Switzerland. With Knight and Carpenter working with top goal scorers such as Ohio State's Joy Dunne and Toronto Sceptres forward, Haley Scamurra, the American offense is potent and can take control of the game quickly.

In addition to a great offense has been a tremendous defense. Boston Fleet goaltender Aerin Frankel acts as a brick wall between the pipes, allowing only one goal in two starts thus far. The former Boston University Terrier has been dominant for the Fleet all season, posting a 9-2-0 record, 1.35 goals against average, a .946 save percentage, and three shutouts in the PWHL this season. Frankel has been the anchor of America's defense, and she is expected to start in this game. It will be tough for any team score on her when she is in the net.

Keys to the Game: Canada

Team Canada boasts similar talent to the USA, with players coming from both the PWHL and NCAA Division I. However, the Canadians have played one less game than the Americans in the Olympics this year.

That does not mean they have not been dominant, however. Canada won both of its games against Switzerland (4-0) and Czechia (5-1) to improve to 2-0 in preliminary play. Canada also boasts a strong offense and stout defense similar to the U.S.

Star skaters such as Julia Gosling, current forward for the PWHL's Torrent, Sarah Fillier, forward for the New York Sirens, and Daryl Watts, current forward for the Sceptres. Gosling has been the star player in these Olympics so far, scoring three goals in two games. She will be a key to this offense against a strong American defense.

For goaltending, Emerance Maschmeyer of the Vancouver Goldeneyes and Ann-Renee Desbiens of the Montreal Victoire have been amazing in net. The two Canadian goalies have started one game and have allowed a combined one goal across six periods. Like Frankel, Maschmeyer, and Desbiens are professionals with a lot of experience and talent, and will give the Americans a tough time.

Who Wins?

This game will be very close, as expected from historic rivals. However, I am giving a slight edge to the Americans because of the extra game they have played. Watching this American team, it is very clear that every skater on the ice has developed chemistry with one another in a short time, and I expect that to be the difference in this game. I see a 2-1 win for Team USA, giving them full control over Group A and solidifying their place as favorites for the gold medal.

Either way, this will be a fun game. Both the USA and Canada bring everything they have for these games, and I expect this game to be the same. Puck drop will commence at 2:10 p.m. EST (8:10 p.m. local time). Broadcast will be available on NBC and Peacock.