USA defeats Sweden in Olympic women's hockey final

The American team advances to the gold medal match after a hard-fought victory.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The United States women's hockey team defeated Sweden 3-1 in the Olympic semifinal match, securing their spot in the gold medal game. The Americans scored two goals in the third period to pull away from their Scandinavian rivals and reach the championship round for the sixth consecutive Olympics.

Why it matters

Women's hockey is one of the marquee events at the Winter Olympics, with the U.S. and Canada traditionally dominating the competition. This victory continues the American team's dominance on the international stage and sets up a highly anticipated gold medal showdown.

The details

The U.S. took an early 1-0 lead in the first period, but Sweden equalized in the second to make it a tight contest heading into the final frame. However, the Americans were able to capitalize on their scoring chances in the third period, netting two goals to pull away and secure the victory.

  • The semifinal match was played on February 16, 2026.
  • The gold medal game is scheduled for February 18, 2026.

The players

United States women's hockey team

The U.S. women's hockey team is one of the most successful national teams in the sport, having won four gold medals and one silver medal in the last five Winter Olympics.

Sweden women's hockey team

The Swedish women's hockey team is a perennial contender at the Olympics, having won silver medals in 2006 and 2014.

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What they’re saying

“We knew it was going to be a tough game against Sweden, but our team showed a lot of heart and determination to get the win. We're excited to have the chance to compete for the gold medal.”

— Hilary Knight, U.S. women's hockey team captain (WFLA.com)

What’s next

The United States will face the winner of the other semifinal match between Canada and Finland in the gold medal game on February 18, 2026.

The takeaway

The U.S. women's hockey team continues to be one of the dominant forces in international competition, reaching the gold medal game for the sixth consecutive Olympics. Their victory over Sweden sets up a highly anticipated showdown with their longtime rivals, the Canadian women's hockey team, for the Olympic championship.