MILAN – The U.S. Olympic Women’s Hockey Team continued its dominant run through the preliminary round of the 2026 Winter Olympics, securing a decisive 5-0 victory over Canada on Tuesday. The win not only capped an undefeated preliminary schedule for Team USA but also marked Canada’s first shutout defeat in 41 Olympic appearances, a statement of intent as the tournament progresses.
Through four games, the Americans have outscored their opponents by a staggering margin of 20-1, showcasing an offensive firepower and defensive solidity that has quickly established them as the gold medal favorites. Captain Hilary Knight and her teammates have seamlessly blended experience and emerging talent, creating a cohesive unit that appears poised for a deep playoff run.
The team’s success isn’t solely built on offensive prowess. Goaltending has been exceptional, with the U.S. Not conceding a goal in its last 211 minutes and 23 seconds of play, recording three consecutive shutouts. This defensive resilience provides a solid foundation for their attacking ambitions.
“This group continues to grow and the leadership in the locker room has led to success on the ice,” said head coach John Wroblewski following the win against Canada. “Today was another step toward our goal, and we’ll head into the quarterfinals ready to compete and keep this momentum rolling.”
The Americans’ path to the gold medal continues Friday, , with a quarterfinal matchup against Italy at at Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena. The game will be televised on USA Network and streamed on Peacock.
Italy earned its place in the quarterfinals by finishing third in Group B with a 2-2 record (6 points), securing the final spot in the knockout round. While they present a different challenge than the Group A powerhouses, Team USA will undoubtedly approach the game with the same level of focus and determination.
The overall tournament format sees the top five teams from Group A – Team USA, Canada, Finland, Czechia, and Switzerland – automatically advancing to the medal round. Only the top three teams from Group B – Sweden, Germany, and Italy – joined them in the playoffs.
Here’s a look at the final standings from the preliminary round:
Group A Final Standings
- Team USA (12 points; 4-0 record)
- Canada (9 points; 3-1 record)
- Czechia (4 points; 1-2-1 record)
- Finland (3 points; 1-3 record)
- Switzerland (2 points; 1-3 record; lone win was in OT)
Group B Final Standings
- Sweden (12 points; 4-0 record)
- Germany (8 points; 3-1 record)
- Italy (6 points; 2-2 record)
- Japan (3 points; 1-3 record)
- France (1 point 0-4 record; one loss was in OT)
The quarterfinal bracket is set, with teams to be re-seeded after this round. The top-ranked remaining team will face the lowest-ranked, and the second-best will play the second-lowest, ensuring competitive matchups as the tournament progresses.
Quarterfinals
Game 1: No. 3 Czechia vs. No. 6 Sweden –
Game 2: No. 1 Team USA vs. No. 8 Italy – (USA Network)
Game 3: No. 2 Canada vs. No. 7 Germany –
Game 4: No. 4 Finland vs. No. 5 Switzerland –
Semifinals
Game 1: TBD vs. TBD –
Game 2: TBD vs. TBD –
Bronze Medal Game
Matchup: TBD vs. TBD – (USA Network coverage at )
Gold Medal Game
Matchup: TBD vs. TBD – (USA Network)
With three games standing between them and a potential third Olympic gold medal in women’s hockey, Team USA appears to be on a clear trajectory towards the podium. However, the knockout stage demands a different level of intensity and focus, and the team will need to maintain its composure and execution to overcome the challenges that lie ahead.
