In yet another thrilling showdown at the 2026 Winter Olympics, the United States and Canada delivered a nail-biting gold medal game that needed overtime to decide the victor. With a flair for the dramatic, Megan Keller clinched the gold for Team USA by sneaking a backhand past Canada's Ann-Renée Desbiens just over four minutes into the extra period.
The setup came from a long, precise pass by Taylor Heise, allowing Keller to execute a slick inside-out move on Claire Thompson before finding the back of the net. This victory marks the third Olympic gold for the American team and their first since 2018.
The game opened with an intense back-and-forth first period, where Canada managed to strike first with a shorthanded goal. A loose puck in the neutral zone set the stage for Laura Stacey to outpace her opponents, leading to a two-on-one break with Kristin O’Neill. Stacey's perfect pass allowed O’Neill to deke to her backhand, breaking the United States' impressive streak of 352 minutes and 17 seconds without conceding a goal.
As the game intensified, the Americans mounted a fierce push in the third period. Despite both teams registering eight shots each in the final frame, Canada couldn't capitalize on a late power play to extend their lead.
With just over two minutes left and an offensive zone face-off, the United States pulled goaltender Aerin Frankel for an extra attacker. The gamble paid off when Hilary Knight, in her Olympic swan song, tipped Laila Edwards’ point shot to tie the game, sending it into overtime.
Earlier in the day, Alina Müller played the hero for Switzerland, scoring in overtime to secure a bronze medal in their 2-1 victory over Sweden. The drama and skill on display in these games underscore the incredible talent and competitive spirit present at this year's Olympics.