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Canada is moving on to the gold medal game in women’s Olympic hockey, but they’ll face a formidable opponent in the United States.
The defending champions advanced with a 2-1 semifinal victory over Switzerland on Monday, but the Americans are looking dominant in Milan, having outscored their competition 31-1 throughout the Winter Olympics.
Canadian captain Marie-Philip Poulin etched her name into the Olympic record books, scoring twice against Switzerland to develop into the all-time leading scorer in women’s Olympic hockey history. She now has 20 career goals in the tournament, surpassing teammate Hayley Wickenheiser’s previous record of 18.
Marie-Philip Poulin scored twice as Canada defeated Switzerland 2-1 on Monday, in the Olympic semifinal at Milano Cortina 2026.
The U.S. Cruised to a 5-0 win over Sweden earlier on Monday, setting the stage for a highly anticipated gold medal showdown.
Canada will be competing for a medal in the final for the eighth consecutive Olympics, dating back to the debut of women’s hockey at the 1998 Nagano Games. They have won five gold medals, with losses to the U.S. In both 1998 and 2018.
“It’s the gold medal game,” said U.S. Forward Taylor Heise. “Everyone’s going to show up, and if they don’t, they’re not meant to be there.”
The United States and Canada have faced off in every Olympic final except for one, in 2006 when Sweden upset the Americans in the semifinals.
Switzerland started Andrea Braendli in goal on Monday, after Saskia Maurer started in a Group A game that Canada won 4-0. Braendli finished with 43 saves, even as Canada’s Ann-Renee Desbiens stopped seven shots.
Canada dominated the shot count, leading 13-1 after the first period and 35-4 through two. Poulin opened the scoring at 1:49 of the second period, with a shot that deflected off a Swiss forward. She added her second goal at 8:21, shoveling a rebound past the Swiss goalie after a Darryl Watts attempt.
A five-minute major penalty assessed to Poulin for checking Laura Zimmerman into the boards was later downgraded to a minor upon review.
A Blayre Turnbull penalty for hooking as Poulin’s expired gave the Swiss four minutes of power-play time, but the Canadians successfully killed off both penalties.
U.S. Powers Past Sweden
The two-time champions, the United States, continued their impressive run at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics with a convincing 5-0 victory over Sweden. Cayla Barnes scored in the first period, while Taylor Heise, Abbey Murphy, veteran Kendall Coyne Schofield and Hayley Scamurra added goals in the second.
The Americans will play the winner of the Canada-Switzerland semifinal in the gold medal game on Thursday.
Sweden, who last won a medal – a silver – in 2006, defeated Czechia in the quarterfinals but couldn’t match the firepower of the United States.
The U.S. Has only conceded one goal through six games in the women’s tournament, and they were in control from the start, with Barnes ripping a wrist shot past three Swedish defenders to open the scoring.
The United States advanced to a fifth-straight Olympic women’s hockey final, with a 5-0 semifinal win over Sweden at Milano Cortina 2026.
They continued to apply pressure in the second period, with Hannah Bilka setting up Heise for a goal midway through the frame. Murphy then extended the lead to 3-0, followed by quick goals from her teammates, despite Sweden outshooting them 13-11 in the period.
“When we look back at this tournament, what we have done so far is amazing,” said goalie Aerin Frankel, who made 23 saves. “But obviously the job’s not done yet.”
With a blend of young talent and veteran leadership, the United States is eager for a rematch after Canada denied them the gold medal four years ago.
The Americans have been in excellent form in Milan, scoring 31 goals in six games and defeating Canada 5-0 in the group stage.
“Just so many good players and we’re playing as a team which is the most important part,” said Bilka. “You want to have your best game your last game. Here’s when it all comes together.”
