The U.S. women’s hockey team has advanced to the gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics, routing Sweden 5-0 in the semifinals in Milan. Cayla Barnes opened the scoring just over five minutes into the game before Team USA pulled away with four goals in the second period, from Taylor Heise, Abbey Murphy, Kendall Coyne Schofield and Hayley Scamurra. The U.S. will face the winner of Canada vs. Switzerland in the gold medal game on Thursday. It will be their seventh appearance in the final in eight editions of women’s hockey at the Games. Share your reaction with us at live@theathletic.com.

Source: International New York Times February 17, 2026 07:14 UTC