Orangeville Native Tessa Janecke Leads Team USA to Olympic Gold Medal Game

USA women's ice hockey team shuts out Sweden 5-0 to advance to championship match against Canada

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Tessa Janecke, an Orangeville, Illinois native, and the USA women's ice hockey team have advanced to the Olympic gold medal game after shutting out Sweden 5-0 in the semifinal. Janecke recorded an assist in the game, giving her five assists in the tournament so far. The USA has outscored its opponents 31-1 through six games, with its only goal allowed coming in the opener against Czechia. The team will now face off against Canada, who edged Switzerland 2-1 in the other semifinal, in the gold medal match on Thursday.

Why it matters

Janecke's performance and the USA team's dominant run to the gold medal game is a source of pride for her hometown of Orangeville, Illinois, as well as the broader Midwest region. The USA-Canada rivalry in women's ice hockey is one of the fiercest in international sports, making the championship match a highly anticipated event.

The details

In the semifinal game against Sweden, Janecke recorded an assist as the USA cruised to a 5-0 victory, their fifth straight shutout win. Chicago Blackhawks player development coach Kendall Coyne-Schofield also scored a goal for the USA, giving her three goals in the Olympic tournament. Overall, the USA has outscored its opponents by a staggering 31-1 margin through six games.

  • The USA defeated Sweden 5-0 in the semifinal on Monday, February 17, 2026.
  • The USA will face Canada in the gold medal game on Thursday, February 20, 2026 at 12:10pm Central Time.
  • The USA defeated Canada 5-0 in the preliminary round last week.

The players

Tessa Janecke

An Orangeville, Illinois native playing for the USA women's ice hockey team.

Kendall Coyne-Schofield

A Chicago Blackhawks player development coach who scored a goal for the USA in the Olympic tournament.

Team USA

The United States women's ice hockey team, which has outscored its opponents 31-1 through six games in the 2026 Olympics.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The USA will face Canada in the gold medal game on Thursday, February 20, 2026 at 12:10pm Central Time.

The takeaway

Tessa Janecke and the dominant USA women's ice hockey team have an opportunity to bring home the Olympic gold medal, which would be a tremendous source of pride for Janecke's hometown of Orangeville, Illinois and the broader Midwest region. Their matchup against longtime rival Canada in the championship game promises to be an epic clash between two of the world's ice hockey powerhouses.