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The United States women’s ice hockey team stood arm in arm, proudly singing the national anthem after beating Canada 2-1 in a thrilling overtime victory to win the gold medal at the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Games on Thursday.
“This is the best game. The best fucking game,” exclaimed U.S. team captain Hilary Knight, who was currently being picked up by the NBC broadcast, as the arena announcer asked the crowd to stand for the national anthem.
Team USA celebrates the anthem with the gold medal during the victory ceremony after the women’s ice hockey gold medal game between the United States and Canada, 2-1 in overtime, on day 13 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the Milan Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy, February 19, 2026. (EyesWideOpen/Getty Images)
The gold medalists were joined by American fans at the Milan Santagiulia ice hockey arena to sing “The Star Spangled Banner.”
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“When you only hear your national anthem once, and that’s if you win, it’s amazing,” forward Taylor Heise said. Sam Farnsworth of KSL-TV of the moment. “Hearing this national anthem and participating in [the podium] with your girls, and celebrating this big victory is huge.”
Knight stood by her declaration that this women’s ice hockey team is “America’s Team.”
“To be successful on the world stage representing your country, I mean – and the anthem being played, it’s just incredible,” she said. KSL-TV.
Kendall Coyne of the United States, left, and Hilary Knight of the United States celebrate after the victory ceremony for women’s ice hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, February 19, 2026. (Hassan Ammar/AP Photo)
HILARY KNIGHT MAKES OLYMPIC HISTORY WITH DRAMATIC GOAL THAT SET TEAM USA TO GOLD
Knight made history by scoring the tying goal with 2:04 left in regulation to force overtime. This score marked his 15th goal and 33rd point of his Olympic career, both American records. Megan Keller found the back of the net with a backhand at 4:07 of overtime to secure the gold medal.
“This team has so much determination. Never give up. Always ready to fight and go to battle,” Knight said. “It’s just a testament to how prepared our group is and how much love we have in this room, and how we found a way to get the job done at the end of the night.”
The focus now shifts to the men’s game as Team USA hopes to win another gold medal. They will face Slovakia in the semi-final on Friday.
Megan Keller (5) celebrates with a flag alongside Cayla Barnes (3) of Team USA after scoring the winning goal in overtime during the women’s gold medal game against Canada on day 13 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at the Milan Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy, February 19, 2026. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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“We were talking about it last night; we were talking about it again this morning,” coach Mike Sullivan said of the women’s gold medal. “It’s very exciting. These girls, what a great hockey team, and they will be an inspiration to the next generation of girls growing up in the United States. … We couldn’t be more proud of them.”
