United States Women’s Hockey Overpowers Sweden 5-0, Advances to Olympic Gold Medal Game in Milan

MILAN, Italy, Feb. 16, 2026 

By the time the final horn echoed through the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, the result felt inevitable. The United States women’s ice hockey team, clinical and unyielding, had dismantled Sweden 5-0 in the Olympic semifinal, securing its place in the gold medal game at the Milano Cortina Winter Games and extending one of the most dominant defensive stretches in Olympic history.

The victory keeps the Americans perfect at 6-0 in the tournament and guarantees the program its fifth consecutive Olympic medal, a streak that underscores two decades of sustained excellence. The United States last captured Olympic gold in 2018 in Pyeongchang. Now, another championship meeting with Canada awaits.

The American Avalanche

Sweden’s goaltender, Ebba Svensson Träff, held firm in the opening minutes, absorbing an early flurry as the Americans pressed with their customary speed and layered forecheck. But the breakthrough came swiftly.

At 5:09 of the first period, defender Cayla Barnes snapped a wrist shot from the right circle through traffic, assisted by Kelly Pannek and Lee Stecklein, giving the United States a 1-0 lead and an immediate foothold in the game.

The second period turned controlled pressure into decisive separation.

Minnesota’s own Taylor Heise, the Lake City native and former University of Minnesota standout, doubled the lead at 9:08, finishing a rush chance that showcased the Americans’ transitional precision. Then came the avalanche.

In a span of just 2 minutes and 47 seconds late in the middle frame, the game tilted irreversibly:

• Abbey Murphy scored at 15:12, adding to her assist earlier in the contest.
• Kendall Coyne Schofield followed at 16:10.
• Hayley Scamurra capped the burst at 17:59.

By intermission, what had once been competitive was now commanding. The United States entered the third period with a 5-0 advantage and shifted into disciplined defensive control, preserving the shutout and finishing with a 34-23 edge in shots on goal.

Record-Breaking Defense

Behind the offensive display stood goaltender Aerin Frankel, whose calm presence has become the backbone of this tournament run. Frankel recorded 21 saves, earning her third shutout of the Games, an Olympic single-tournament record for a women’s goaltender.

Even more remarkable is the team’s collective defensive streak. The United States has not allowed a goal since the second period of its opening game against Czechia. Its shutout streak now stands at 331 minutes and 23 seconds, an Olympic record. Through six games, the Americans have outscored opponents 31-1.

For Sweden, the loss ends an inspiring run that included a quarterfinal shutout of Czechia. The Swedes will now face Switzerland in the bronze medal game.

The Road to Gold

The semifinal sets up a familiar and storied final: the United States versus Canada, scheduled for Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 1:10 p.m. ET.

Canada advanced after defeating Switzerland in the other semifinal, setting the stage for another chapter in the defining rivalry of women’s hockey. Since women’s hockey debuted at the Winter Olympics in 1998, the gold medal game has frequently featured these two North American powers, whose tactical chess match has shaped the global standard of the sport.

For the United States, the stakes are clear. A win would secure its second Olympic gold medal in the past three Games and reaffirm a defensive identity that has defined this 2026 campaign. A loss would still extend a remarkable podium streak, but for a program built on championship expectations, silver rarely satisfies.

On Monday in Milan, however, there was little ambiguity. The Americans were fast. They were relentless. They were disciplined.

And they are one victory away from gold.

MinneapoliMedia