USA vs Canada Preview & Prediction | 2026 Winter Olympics | Women’s Ice Hockey | Gold Medal Game
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One of the greatest sporting rivalries writes another chapter at Milano Cortina 2026 as USA and Canada do battle once again for Olympic gold.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports (some events will also be televised on the BBC / TNT Sports / Not Televised / USA – NBC, USA Network, CNBC & NBCSN
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ (some events can be streamed live on the BBC’s digital platforms / USA – Peacock & nbcolympics.com
USA vs Canada prediction
This was the gold medal game everyone expected to see and Milano Cortina 2026 will be the fifth consecutive Winter Olympics that sees USA and Canada meet in the Women’s Ice Hockey final. Canada have won three of those gold medal games, with Marie-Philip Poulin earning her ‘Captain Clutch’ moniker with star performances in all three matches. She now boasts the Olympic record for goals in women’s hockey and if the Canadians are to beat what may be the strongest USA squad of a generation, Poulin will need to be at her very best.
USA are the team who have played like gold medallists over the course of the competition so far. Rock solid at the back and ruthless in attack, John Wroblewski’s side have registered five straight shutouts heading into this final encounter, one of those coming against Canada in a 5-0 win back in the preliminary round.
With nine points to her name, Caroline Harvey has been superb, whilst fellow Wisconsin Badger Laila Edwards has also been a standout. Throw in the veteran stars like Hilary Knight and Kendall Coyne-Schofield along with joint-leading tournament goalscorer Hannah Bilka and all bases are covered. USA have racked up 31 goals across six games, an average of over five-per-match.
When factoring in the pressure of a final and the mentality of Canada, who have been here before and delivered, this should prove a far closer encounter than any USA fixture we’ve seen so far in Milan. But you cannot ignore just how brilliant this USA roster have performed and the whole squad is stacked full of champions whether it be NCAA or PWHL and the case of stars like Knight, the Olympics. Therefore, back USA to triumph in the latest gold medal showdown of this historic rivalry.
USA vs Canada tip: USA to win
