On a drizzly Tuesday evening in Milan, the United States women’s hockey team delivered a performance for the ages, routing archrival Canada 5-0 at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. The Americans, propelled by Hannah Bilka’s two-goal outburst and a relentless display of speed and youth, clinched first place in Group A and solidified their status as the team to beat heading into the quarterfinals.
This victory wasn’t just another win for Team USA—it was historic. Never before had the Americans defeated the Canadians by such a wide margin in Olympic play, men’s or women’s. The result capped a flawless preliminary round in which the U.S. swept all four games, outscoring their opponents by a staggering 20-1. For fans at the 11,600-seat Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, the night’s soundtrack quickly shifted from Canadian cheers to the celebratory chords of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s "Free Bird," blaring after each U.S. goal.
"We came in with a plan, and everyone bought in from the first puck drop," said U.S. head coach John Wroblewski, whose squad features a blend of Olympic veterans and seven current college players. "The energy and trust in that locker room is something special."
The opening salvo came just 3:45 into the first period. Caroline Harvey, a standout from the University of Wisconsin, drove in from the left point and snapped a shot past Canadian netminder Ann-Renee Desbiens. With the U.S. up 1-0, the floodgates soon opened. Abbey Murphy, the University of Minnesota captain, chased down a loose puck in the right corner and delivered a dazzling no-look pass to Bilka, who crashed the net and doubled the lead. The chemistry between Murphy and Bilka was undeniable all night—both of Bilka’s goals came off Murphy’s assists, showcasing the duo’s telepathic connection.
"Abbey just has this sixth sense on the ice," Bilka said after the game. "She finds you in the perfect spot, and all you have to do is finish." Bilka, who previously starred for Ohio State’s 2024 national championship team and now plays for the Seattle Torrent in the Professional Women’s Hockey League, has been on a tear throughout the tournament. Tuesday’s brace brought her Olympic goal tally to three, building on her score in the previous day’s 5-0 win over Switzerland.
The second period saw the Americans extend their dominance. Just 72 seconds in, Kirsten Simms jammed home a power-play goal, assisted by Tessa Janecke and Murphy. Bilka struck again midway through the frame, this time unleashing a one-timer from one knee in the left circle—her third goal of the tournament and a highlight-reel finish that left Desbiens with no chance. The Canadians, meanwhile, struggled to generate any sustained offense, registering just four shots in the opening period and only 20 by game’s end.
Canada’s woes were compounded by the absence of their inspirational captain, Marie-Philip Poulin. Ruled out just hours before puck drop due to a lower-body injury sustained in Monday’s win over Czechia, Poulin’s absence left a gaping hole in the Canadian lineup. The 34-year-old, known as "Captain Clutch," is considered day-to-day, but her status for upcoming games remains uncertain. Without her leadership and offensive spark, the Canadians looked tentative and ran into penalty trouble, unable to match the Americans’ pace.
Hilary Knight, the 36-year-old U.S. captain and Olympic legend, contributed an assist on the night—her 32nd career Olympic point. That mark ties her with Jenny Potter for the most points by any U.S. women’s hockey player in Olympic history. "To be mentioned alongside Jenny is an incredible honor," Knight said. "But it’s all about the team and what we’re building here." Other notable contributions came from Laila Edwards, who scored her first Olympic goal late in the third period. Edwards, a Cleveland Heights native, also made history as the first Black woman to represent the United States in Olympic women’s hockey. Her unassisted tally put the exclamation point on the Americans’ biggest-ever win over Canada.
Between the pipes, Aerin Frankel was rock solid, turning aside all 20 Canadian shots to earn her third win and second shutout in her Olympic debut. Frankel’s poise and confidence have been a backbone for Team USA throughout the tournament. "She’s been a wall back there," said coach Wroblewski. "Her calmness gives our defense so much confidence."
The lopsided result was a stark reversal from the 2022 Beijing Games, when Canada stormed to gold. Since then, the rivalry has shifted dramatically. The Americans swept a four-game pre-Olympic Rivalry Series against Canada, outscoring their northern neighbors 24-7, and have now won seven straight meetings dating back to last year’s world championships. The U.S. roster, loaded with young talent and collegiate standouts, has injected new life into the program. Players like Bilka, Harvey, Edwards, and Simms are part of a new generation making their mark on the sport’s biggest stage.
Canada, meanwhile, will have to regroup quickly. They face Finland next in the preliminary round, with the quarterfinals looming. Coach Troy Ryan acknowledged the challenges: "We knew it would be tough without Marie-Philip, but there are no excuses at this level. We need to find another gear." The Canadians will be hoping for Poulin’s return as they look to bounce back and keep their medal hopes alive.
For Team USA, the focus shifts to the quarterfinals, where they’ll face host nation Italy, who finished third in Group B with a 2-2 record. The Americans will enjoy a brief rest before the knockout stage begins later this week. If the stars align, a fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal showdown between the U.S. and Canada could be on the horizon, scheduled for February 19.
As the tournament heads into the business end, one thing is clear: the Americans have found their groove at the perfect time. With a blend of youthful exuberance, veteran leadership, and a hunger for gold not seen since 2018, Team USA is rolling—and the rest of the field has been put on notice.
The rivalry remains as fierce as ever, but for now, it’s the United States who hold the upper hand, skating into the quarterfinals with history, momentum, and confidence on their side.