MILAN, Italy – The United States delivered a stunning and historically significant victory over Canada in women’s Olympic hockey on Tuesday, defeating their rivals 5-0 in a preliminary round game at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The win marked the first Olympic shutout ever suffered by Canada in women’s hockey and the largest margin of victory for the U.S. Over Canada in Olympic hockey – men’s or women’s.
The Americans’ dominance was evident from the outset, outshooting Canada significantly and controlling possession for extended periods. Hannah Bilka led the U.S. Attack with two goals, while Hannah Bilka and Laila Edwards each scored their first Olympic goals. Caroline Harvey and Kirsten Simms also found the back of the net for the Americans. Abbey Murphy, a key offensive force for the U.S., registered three assists and drew four penalties, consistently disrupting the Canadian offense.
Canada, playing without captain Marie-Philip Poulin due to an injury, struggled to generate offensive opportunities. They managed only two Grade A shots compared to the U.S.’s 20, and the Americans effectively stifled any attempts to establish sustained pressure in the offensive zone. “We just got down early and didn’t find ways to make little plays,” Canadian forward Sarah Nurse said, reflecting the team’s frustration.
The shutout loss is a particularly jarring result for Canada, a program historically synonymous with excellence in women’s hockey. The defeat is the seventh consecutive loss to the United States, dating back to last spring’s world championship. The Americans have now established a clear pattern of success against their northern rivals, raising questions about Canada’s ability to compete at the highest level.
The U.S. Victory wasn’t just about scoring goals; it was about controlling the game’s tempo, and physicality. The Americans consistently won battles for the puck and demonstrated a superior level of speed and skill. “It’s pretty special. This group has been unbelievable from the start of the tournament and I think we displayed that going against our known rivals. It’s just good momentum for us going into the playoff rounds,” said Kirsten Simms after the game.
Beyond the scoreline, the game also featured notable milestones. Laila Edwards became the first Black woman to compete for Team USA at the Olympics and celebrated the occasion with a goal. Hilary Knight, a five-time Olympian, tied the U.S. Record for Olympic points in career history with 32, assisting on Harvey’s goal. First-time Olympian Hannah Bilka expressed her disbelief at her performance, stating, “Just be in the moment, enjoy it, I don’t think I have time to process it… I think she’d be pretty proud.”
The Canadian team’s struggles extend beyond the absence of their captain. The team appeared to lack the same level of offensive firepower and defensive cohesion as the Americans. The disparity in shots and high-danger scoring chances highlighted a significant gap in skill and execution. Analysis suggests Canada selected a less skilled Olympic team than the U.S., a decision that proved costly on Tuesday.
The loss has left the Canadian team discouraged, and questions are being raised about their ability to contend for gold. “I have no time for it,” said Brianne Jenner when asked about Abbey Murphy’s impact on the game, a terse response indicative of the team’s frustration. The Americans’ dominant performance has established them as the clear favorites for the gold medal, but the tournament is far from over.
The two teams are likely to meet again in the final, and Canada will need to make significant adjustments to have any chance of reversing the current trend. Whether they can find a way to generate more offense, tighten up their defense, and match the Americans’ intensity remains to be seen. The absence of Marie-Philip Poulin is a significant factor, but the team’s overall performance suggests deeper issues that need to be addressed.
For the United States, the victory is a statement of intent. They have demonstrated their ability to not only compete with Canada but to decisively defeat them. Their youth, speed, and depth have proven to be a formidable combination, and they will be looking to build on this momentum as they progress through the tournament. The Americans are playing a “good brand of hockey” and “sticking to the principles” that are driving their success, according to Laila Edwards.
