The storybook ending is complete for Team USA and captain Hilary Knight.
The U.S. women's hockey team defeated Canada 2-1 to win gold at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.
“I love this group. It’s so special to be able to play at this level," Knight said after the gold-medal win. "I feel a lot of gratitude. It’s such a magical moment and I’m just trying to soak it all in,” she added.
It's just the third time in Olympic history that Team USA has won gold in women's hockey.
The United States was perfect in 2026 Olympic competition. They went undefeated, winning all seven games and only allowing two goals throughout the entirety of the tournament.
While the U.S. triumphed in the end, Canada outplayed the Americans for much of the final. The Canadians held on to a 1-0 lead for most of the game, until Knight scored with just over two minutes left in the third to send the game to sudden-death overtime.
With the heroic goal, Knight set the record for most Olympic goals and points for in U.S. women's hockey history.
Then it was on to sudden-death overtime in the gold medal game.
Four minutes and seven seconds into the do-or-die period, Megan Keller scored to seal the gold-medal win for Team USA.
"I'm lost for words. This is an incredible feeling," Keller said after the win. "I love these girls so much. This group deserves it. Just the effort and the faith that we kept through this four-year journey is something very special," she added.
Kristin O'Neill scored the only goal, shorthanded, in the second period for Canada.