The U.S. and Canada set to square off in Olympic women's ice hockey gold medal match

"Since February 2025, the two teams have faced each other nine times including last week in an Olympic group stage match and the U.S. has won all but one (and the last six straight). At the Olympic preliminary match just nine days ago, the U.S. won 5-0, although Canada was playing without its captain and best player, Marie Philip Poulin, who has since returned from injury and will play Thursday."

"The U.S. instead bet on youth development. The average age of the U.S. Olympic roster is under 27 years old, while Canada's roster, on average, is about 30. Seven American players are still in college; Canada has zero. Now, the Americans' wager is paying off. Four of the team's five leading scorers in Milan defender Caroline Harvey and Laila Edwards, plus forwards Hannah Bilka and Abbey Murphy are all 22, 23 or 24 years old."

The U.S. and Canada will meet in the Olympic women's ice hockey gold-medal game in Milan. Canada has historically dominated, reaching every Olympic final since 1998 and winning five golds. Since February 2025 the teams have played nine times, with the U.S. winning all but one and the last six meetings. The U.S. won 5-0 in the preliminary round, and Canada will have captain Marie Philip Poulin back from injury. The U.S. roster emphasizes youth—average age under 27 with seven collegiate players—while Canada fields an older, experienced group. Young American scorers have driven recent U.S. success. Hilary Knight will play her final Olympic game.

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