Women’s Team: Undefeated and Dominant, Headed to Gold Medal Game
The U.S. women’s hockey team has been nothing short of spectacular, storming through the tournament with an unblemished record and overwhelming offensive firepower. Competing in Group A—the tougher of the two preliminary groups alongside powerhouses like Canada—they finished atop the standings with a perfect 4-0-0-0 record, amassing 12 points and outscoring opponents 20-1. Their defensive prowess has been equally impressive, allowing just one goal across four games while goaltenders like Aerin Frankel and Gwyneth Philips have posted shutouts. (Both in the preliminary round.)
Key preliminary round highlights include:
- A 5-1 opening win over Czechia on February 5.
- A 5-0 shutout of Finland on February 8.
- A 5-0 victory against Switzerland on February 10.
- A commanding 5-0 rout of archrival Canada on February 12, snapping Canada’s early momentum.
Advancing directly to the quarterfinals as the top seed, the Americans dismantled Italy 6-0 on February 13th. It was the fiestiest the American women have looked at any point in the Olympics, delivering body checks and protecting the crease from any Italian within even a few inches of getting close to goaltender Gwyneth Philips. Dominance continued in the semifinals on February 16, where they blanked Sweden 5-0 in a revenge-fueled performance—recalling Sweden’s upset over the U.S. in the 2006 semifinals. Five different players scored in the semi, with Texas native Hannah Bilka dishing out two assists and Abbey Murphy contributing a goal and an assist. Overall, the team has outscored playoff opponents 11-0.
Standout performers include forwards Hilary Knight, who has been a scoring machine with multiple goals, and defender Lee Stecklein, anchoring a nearly impenetrable backline. The roster blends veterans from past Olympic triumphs with emerging talents like Laila Edwards, the first Black woman to play for the U.S. in Olympic hockey.
Next up: The gold medal game against Canada on February 19 at 1:10 p.m. ET. Canada edged Switzerland 2-1 in their semifinal to set up this classic “Border Battle.” The U.S. aims to reclaim gold after silver in 2022, while Canada seeks to defend their title. This matchup promises high drama, with both teams boasting NHL-caliber talent in the women’s game.
It is also of note that this is possibly the last time we see Hilary Knight in Olympic play. At 36 years old, “Captain America” has the chance to solidify her legacy even further by capping off a historic run in Milan with a gold medal victory on Thursday.
“I think we’re just sticking to our game plan and rolling as we’ve been rolling through the tournament. In some ways, you treat it like another game, and in others it’s the biggest game of your life, and that’s also super fun. It’s magical in its own right. I think balancing both sides of that will be important for us.” -Hilary Knight on the Gold Medal Game
Men’s Team: Perfect Prelims, Bye to Quarterfinals
The U.S. men’s hockey team, featuring a star-studded lineup of NHL pros returning to the Olympics for the first time since 2014, has lived up to the hype. Placed in Group C, they swept the preliminary round with a 3-0-0-0 record, earning 9 points and a +11 goal differential (16 goals for, 5 against). This performance secured them the No. 2 overall seed and a bye straight to the quarterfinals, joining Canada (No. 1), Slovakia, and Finland as the top four teams advancing automatically.
Preliminary round recaps:
- A 5-1 win over Latvia on February 12.
- A 6-3 victory against Denmark on February 14.
- A 5-1 triumph over Germany on February 15, clinching the group.
Captain Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs has been a force, leading the team with five points through the prelims. Other key contributors, including stars like Jack Eichel, Brady Tkachuk, and Quinn Hughes, have been noticeable drivers of pace and production. Goaltending has been solid overall as well, with strong performances from Connor Hellebuyck in key moments. (We won’t talk about Jeremy Swayman or the fact that Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger likely won’t see any ice time going into the homestretch.)
The full Group C standings: USA (9 pts), Germany (3 pts), Denmark (3 pts), Latvia (3 pts—tied but separated by goal differential or head-to-head). Across the tournament, Canada dominated Group A with a +17 differential, while Slovakia topped Group B.
As of February 17th, the qualification playoffs are underway to determine the remaining quarterfinalists. Earlier today, Switzerland defeated Italy 3-0, and Germany beat France 5-1. The matchup between Sweden and Latvia will decide the USA’s quarterfinal opponent—the winner advances to face the Americans on February 18th at 3:10 p.m. ET. Semifinals are set for February 20th, with the gold medal game on February 22nd.
The U.S. men are seeking their first Olympic gold since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice,” and with NHL participation boosting the roster, expectations are sky-high. A strong showing in the quarters could set up blockbuster matchups against Canada or other favorites.
Looking Ahead: Medal Hopes and Legacy
Both USA teams are in a prime position to add to America’s Olympic hockey legacy. The women, with their shutout streak and offensive explosion, are favorites against Canada in what could be an instant classic. The men, undefeated so far, face a tougher path but have the talent to go all the way. As long as Quinn Hughes can get over all the ghosts he sees.
The Morning Skate 