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The stage is officially set for the 2026 Milan Cortina Games – the United States faces Canada for women’s hockey gold on Thursday night.
Since women’s hockey joined the Olympic schedule in 1998, only the US or Canada have won gold. And six of the seven gold medal games in Olympic history have been between these two countries.
Both teams understand that better than anyone, but it has been Canada that has won four of six matchups, including the most recent Olympic Games in Beijing in 2022.
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The United States team gathers before the Women’s Team First game between the United States and Canada on day four of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at the Milano Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 10, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Mike Segar/ Lake)
This time, though, Team USA is the favorite to take home the gold when the puck drops at 1:10 pm ET in Milan.
While it was a 3-2 win in 2022 for Team Canada, the US dominated them, 5-0, to end their first games on Feb. 10.
So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at how each team made it to the Olympic finals, and more importantly, what to expect between these fierce rivals.
USA WOMEN’S HOCKEY TEAM SHUTS OFF SWEDEN, MOVES TO WINTER OLYMPICS GOLD MEDAL GAME
HIGH DEFENDANTS
Since we arrived in Milan and hit the ice together, it has been an attack by Team USA, and nothing from the opponents.
The US has outscored its opponents 31-1 heading into Thursday’s game, including at least five goals in every game so far.
Since that last game against Canada, Team USA defeated Italy 6-0, in the quarterfinals. Then, it was another impressive performance against Sweden in the semifinal round on Monday, 5-0, at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.
And not only did a few Americans contribute to the score sheet, but 15 total players scored goals. The puck is distributed by players like Alex Carpenter, Coyne Schofield, Laila Edwards, Carolina Harvey and many others.
The pressure couldn’t be higher for this team entering the game they have been waiting for since 2022.
Blaire Turnbull of Team Canada shakes hands with Team USA players after the Women’s First Team match between the United States and Canada on day four of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at the Milano Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 10, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
COOL CANADA
Despite a 5-0 loss to Team USA, the Canadian team remains the clear favorite in most of its games, including a 4-0 final against Switzerland to begin its Olympic journey.
After that, a 5-1 win over Czechia and a 5-0 finish against Finland after a loss to the US put them ahead of Germany in the quarterfinals.
It was the end of Team Canada 5-1, taking care of business before having a tough time against Switzerland in the semi-finals. But the game was a 2-1 win for Canada, as they return to the gold medal game with a chance to defend their 2022 title.
TEAM USA PLAYER TO WATCH: CAROLINE HARVEY
For those who haven’t watched women’s hockey so far in the Olympics, Harvey will be a player who stands out immediately. Former followers are often waiting to see Harvey’s shifts given the ability that was shown in Milan.
Harvey, a strong skater with great stick skills and vision as a defensive woman, has been admired by the men’s hockey team, including Matthew Tkachuk. Harvey is only 23 years old and still a senior at Wisconsin, making him the clear favorite for the No. 1 overall pick. 1 in the PWHL Draft later this year.
Harvey leads all players with nine total points in the tournament, including seven assists in the Olympics. We have scored two goals and collected nine points. He also has a plus-minus of +14 to once again lead the tournament.
While there are plenty of players to watch for the Stars and Stripes – look out for Edwards, Abbey Murphy and Tessa Janecke – Harvey has been the most fun to watch on the ice.
Team USA’s Caroline Harvey (4) celebrates with a teammate after a goal in the first half during the Women’s Team Open match between the United States and Canada on day four of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at the Milano Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 10, 2026, Milan, Italy. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
CANADA’S TEAM TO WATCH: MARIE-PHILIP POULIN
Canada’s captain has shown grit and determination through injury at the tournament, battling a right knee injury that kept him out of last week’s game against the US.
But he was needed in a tough game against Switzerland, burying both of the team’s goals in the net to lead the way to the golden game.
While Canada’s roster has been discussed since head coach Troy Ryan left some of the country’s strongest young talent back home, it was veterans like Poulin who set the tone even after the loss to the US.
There are a total of 16 players from the 2022 Beijing gold medalist roster returning in 2026 for Team Canada.
TIME TO FIGHT?
It’s no secret that these two teams don’t like each other, but Team USA wasn’t afraid to talk about this problem even months before the games started.
Many stars on the team told Fox News Digital that they are ready to throw down the gloves if necessary against the Canadian team if the situation arises.
“They don’t like us very much,” Harvey said in October 2025. “So, it’s more motivating than anything and, personally, it fuels the fire and makes us want to, you know, hit them like never before.
Team USA’s Alex Carpenter and Team Canada’s Blayre Turnbull face off in the first half during the Women’s Team Open match between the United States and Canada on day four of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at the Milano Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 10, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
“I don’t like them either. They’re a decent opponent, they’re very good, and they always give us such a tough game, it goes back and forth. But when we get into the heat, we always fight and we don’t like them.”
Veteran Brianne Knight added: “I think the US-Canada rivalry will always be there and it doesn’t matter how many other countries compete in the finals that the US-Canada thing will always be special.”
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The two sides have clashed in the past, including the most high-profile fight in women’s hockey history in 2013 in a pre-Olympic exhibition game, where 10 players were ejected after every player on the ice dropped their gloves and fought.
A similar situation occurred in men’s hockey during the 4 Nations Face-off, where tensions between the two countries intensified last year when President Donald Trump imposed new tariffs on the country. But don’t sleep on the tension spilling over into physical moments between the two teams on Thursday.
Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.
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