The United States women’s hockey team continued its strong start at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, skating to a convincing 5–0 victory over Finland on Saturday, powered by both historic milestones and dominant goaltending.
Team USA captain Hilary Knight once again cemented her place in Olympic hockey history. Already making headlines as the first hockey player to compete in five Winter Olympic Games, Knight added another achievement by scoring the fourth goal of the game, tying the U.S. women’s Olympic career goals record with 14. The milestone puts her alongside American legends Natalie Darwitz and Katie King atop the program’s all-time Olympic scoring list.
Knight’s goal — a clean, top-shelf finish — came as part of a balanced offensive performance by the Americans, who controlled the pace from the opening puck drop against a Finnish squad that struggled to generate sustained pressure.
While the offense delivered consistently, goaltender Aerin Frankel anchored the victory on the defensive end. The PWHL standout recorded her first Olympic shutout, turning aside 11 shots in a composed performance between the pipes. The U.S. defense limited Finland’s opportunities throughout the game, keeping Frankel largely untested but ready when called upon.
The win improves the United States to 2–0 in Olympic play, reinforcing its early status as a strong contender for gold in Cortina. With veteran leadership from Knight and steady play in net, the Americans appear to be building momentum at the right time.
Team USA returns to the ice Feb. 9 against Switzerland, looking to continue its unbeaten run in group-stage competition — and possibly witness more history from its captain, who is also pursuing a record-tying fifth Olympic medal.
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