Milan—The U.S. women’s hockey team is on a winning streak, and their ultimate goal is clear: gold. After a strong semifinal win against Sweden, they secured a spot in the gold medal match. The team has dominated the competition, scoring 31 goals while allowing only one throughout the tournament—an impressive feat.
Coach John Wroblewski stated, “Now that we’re here, that’s the bullseye,” emphasizing their focus on winning. The Americans entered the 2026 Olympics as the favorites, following a year of victories over Canada, the defending champions. They defeated Canada 5-0 earlier in the tournament, showing their capability.
In the semifinal, the momentum shifted rapidly during the second period. Abbey Murphy and Laila Edwards scored in quick succession, demonstrating the team’s offensive power. Sweden struggled to keep up, and after changing goaltenders, they could not stop the final goal from Hayley Scamurra.
Swedish coach Ulf Lundberg commented, “Maybe today we needed a plexiglass in front of our net to stay in the game,” illustrating the pressure his team faced. The U.S. goalkeepers, Aerin Frankel and Gwyneth Phillips, have played excellently, keeping opponents scoreless in five consecutive matches, setting an Olympic record.
Historically, the U.S. has won gold twice—once in 1998 and again in 2018—while Canada has dominated the rest of the Olympic tournaments. This could be pivotal for the U.S., aiming to reclaim gold.
In a recent survey from the International Ice Hockey Federation, 78% of hockey fans believe the U.S. team’s youth and vigor will prevail over veteran teams in the upcoming match. Team captain Hilary Knight, competing in her fifth Olympic Games, is eager to help pave the way for younger players like Laila Edwards and Abbey Murphy, who are looking to make their mark.
As the gold medal match approaches, excitement is building. The team’s cohesive play on the ice reflects their dedication and teamwork. As Taylor Heise, another key player, noted, “It’s so important that they’ve gotten that time and we’ve given them those opportunities because they’re so confident when they get out there.”
Fans are buzzing on social media, sharing their anticipation for the finals. With only days to go, all eyes will be on Team USA as they strive for Olympic glory once again.
For more on the U.S. women’s hockey journey, visit the International Ice Hockey Federation.
