Canada's search for a women's hockey victory against Team USA continues, as the Americans showcased their dominance with a resounding 5-0 win during the preliminary round of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics. This match marks over a year since Canada last secured a win against their long-time rivals.
Abbey Murphy played a pivotal role in the U.S. victory, notching three assists, while Hannah Bilka contributed significantly with two goals. The scoring for the Americans began early in the game, with Caroline Harvey netting the first goal less than four minutes in. By the conclusion of the match, Harvey had also provided two assists, demonstrating her impact on the ice.
The U.S. team has now extended its impressive record to seven consecutive victories against Canada at the senior national level. This streak includes two wins at the 2025 World Championships, a complete sweep of all four games in the 2025 Rivalry Series, and this latest triumph at the 2026 Olympics. Aerin Frankel, the American goaltender, achieved her second Olympic shutout, solidifying her team's defensive efforts throughout the game.
In a controversial moment, Kirsten Simms added to the scoreline after a goaltender interference review led to an unsuccessful coach’s challenge from Canada. Laila Edwards capped off the scoring by netting the fifth goal, making history as the first Black woman to score for Team USA at the Olympics—a monumental achievement in the sport’s history.
On the Canadian side, goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens struggled, conceding five goals before being replaced by Emerance Maschmeyer late in the third period. The absence of Canadian captain Marie-Philip Poulin, who missed the game due to a lower-body injury and is listed as day-to-day, also played a significant role in the team's performance.
This loss is particularly poignant for Canada, as it marks only the second defeat they have experienced in the preliminary round of the Olympics, the last being in 1998 against the United States. Prior to this match, both Canada and the U.S. had maintained undefeated records at Milano Cortina, amplifying the stakes of the encounter.
Looking ahead, Canada is set to face Finland in their final match of this round on Thursday, where they will aim to regroup and secure a vital win as they continue their Olympic campaign.
