MILAN — In Hillary Knight’s last Olympics, she advanced once again.
Veteran defenseman Megan Keller scored the golden goal in 3-on-3 overtime Thursday as the United States women’s hockey team defeated arch-rival Canada 2-1 to win the Olympic gold medal.
“If you get to play against her and practice against her, Megan Keller can really do it,” veteran Lee Stecklein said. “To see him step up like that under pressure is incredible.”
That moment wouldn’t have been possible without Knight, who gave Team USA life by deflecting a shot from defenseman Layla Edwards past the goalie with 2:04 remaining in the third period.
“I remember[coachJohnWroblewskidrawingitup”Knightsaid”AndIsaid’YeahthisisourmomentHerewego'”[कोचजॉनव्रॉब्लेव्स्कीनेइसेतैयारकियाथा।””औरमैंनेकहा’हाँयहहमाराक्षणहै।यहाँहमचलतेहैं।'”[coachJohnWroblewskidrawingitup”Knightsaid”AndIwaslike’YeahthisisourmomentHerewego'”
The U.S. had allowed just one goal the entire tournament before Canadian fourth-liner Kristen O’Neill scored short-handed in the second period of Thursday’s final.
It was the final Olympic game for the 36-year-old Knight, who became the most decorated player in US women’s hockey history with her second gold medal. He announced last May that this game – his fifth – would be his last.
“Personally I’ve had a great career, it’s been an incredible journey,” Knight said. “I have to take it all in because this room is very special, this team is very special. This is the best American hockey team I’ve ever been a part of. It’s just tremendous.”
Knight’s third-period tally moved her into sole possession of the American record books – men or women – for most goals (15) and points (33) in an Olympic career. He had a memorable tournament here, proposing to his teammate, US speedskater Brittany Bowe, two days before the gold medal match.
“Poetic. I said it yesterday, Hillary always rocks,” said longtime teammate Kendall Coyne Schofield. “From his proposal that had me falling off my chair, to his record-breaking goal, you couldn’t have scripted it better than this.”
Another common refrain of American players after the game: “Classic Hillary.”
“I think this is the perfect way for him to break the record,” Stecklein said. “She handles that pressure and she knows we’re counting on her. If it wasn’t her, I’m sure it could have been someone else. But at the same time, it’s not a surprise for her to be because she is who she is and who she’s always been.”
The U.S. roster featured a strong mix of experienced and emerging young players, and the 2026 Games represented a passing of the torch. Wisconsin seniors Caroline Harvey and Edwards, who combined for 18 points and were the top two U.S. skaters in terms of ice time, are among the U.S. team members who have childhood photos of themselves with Knight.
The United States gave up only two goals in the tournament, tying the 2006 and 2010 Canadian teams for the fewest allowed by a women’s team in a single Olympics.
US goalkeeper Erin Frankel made 30 saves, some spectacular, but she did not get offensive support as Team USA continued to miss chances in regulation until Knight took advantage.
Frankel had a stellar tournament, finishing with a .980 save percentage and becoming the first goaltender in Olympic history to record three shutouts in a tournament.
For long stretches in the gold medal match, Team USA looked more nervous than at any previous moment in these Olympics. Previously, the team had scored at least five goals in every game and had outscored teams 31–1.
The victory solidified a major tournament title for the American women.
“I’ve been on some great teams, with a lot of great teammates, great players, Hall of Famers,” four-time Olympian Kendall Coyne Schofield told ESPN before the game. “But it’s definitely special.” The United States was the deepest team in the Olympic tournament. Ten players scored at least five points – six more than any other country.
The rest of the world has still not caught up with the United States and Canada. North American powers have won every gold and silver medal since the introduction of women’s hockey at the Olympics in 1998.
The result in Milan was not too surprising, as Team USA led the four-game rivalry series before the Olympics by a combined score of 24–7. The US entered the finals by recording five consecutive shutouts – including a 5–0 victory over Canada in group stage play. However, the Canadians were without captain Marie-Philippe Poulin (right knee injury) for that competition, and she was still dealing with the injury, especially after broadcast cameras captured her riding from the locker room to the ice in the semi-finals.
Palin had scored in each of the last four Olympic gold medal games of her career, but was held off the score sheet on Thursday.
“The utmost respect for him,” Knight said. “I think you saw that going through the handshake line, just embracing and understanding that we have a lot of things in common. The only difference is that we’re on the other side of these teams and putting on some great performances. I’ll miss that.”
