Lowell-area stars shine as U.S. women's hockey team wins gold

Megan Keller's overtime winner caps off dominant Olympic performance for local players

Feb. 22, 2026 at 11:04am

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The U.S. women's hockey team, led by several players with connections to the Lowell area, captured the gold medal at the Milan Cortina Games. Megan Keller, a member of the Lowell-based Boston Fleet professional team, scored the game-winning goal in overtime to defeat Canada 2-1. Other local standouts included goaltender Aerin Frankel, defender Caroline Harvey, and veteran Hilary Knight, who cemented her status as the all-time leading scorer in U.S. women's hockey history.

Why it matters

The success of these Lowell-area players on the Olympic stage shines a spotlight on the growing strength of women's hockey in the region. The Boston Fleet, which calls the Tsongas Center home, has become a hub for top talent, and the local college programs have also produced several key contributors to the U.S. team. This Olympic triumph will only further inspire the next generation of young hockey players in the Merrimack Valley.

The details

Megan Keller, a three-year member of the Boston Fleet, scored the game-winning goal in overtime to defeat Canada 2-1 and capture the gold medal for the U.S. women's hockey team. Keller, who has wowed crowds at the Tsongas Center, collected a pass from teammate Taylor Heise and deked around a Canadian defender before tucking the puck under the goaltender's blocker. Goaltender Aerin Frankel, also of the Boston Fleet, was stellar in net, making 30 saves and posting a .980 save percentage. Defender Caroline Harvey, a native of Salem, N.H. who grew up in Groton, was named the tournament's Best Defender and Most Valuable Player after tallying 2 goals and 7 assists. Veteran Hilary Knight, the all-time leading scorer in U.S. women's hockey history, capped off her fifth and final Olympics by scoring the game-tying goal late in regulation.

  • Megan Keller scored the game-winning goal in overtime on February 22, 2026.
  • The U.S. women's hockey team defeated Canada 2-1 in the gold medal game on February 22, 2026.
  • The Boston Fleet returns home to the Tsongas Center on March 21, 2026 to face the Seattle Torrent and Hilary Knight.

The players

Megan Keller

A three-year member of the Lowell-based Boston Fleet professional women's hockey team, Keller scored the game-winning goal in overtime to defeat Canada and capture the gold medal for the U.S. women's hockey team.

Aerin Frankel

The starting goaltender for the Boston Fleet, Frankel was stellar in net for the U.S. women's hockey team, making 30 saves and posting a .980 save percentage in the gold medal game.

Caroline Harvey

A native of Salem, N.H. who grew up in Groton, Harvey was named the Best Defender and Most Valuable Player of the Olympic tournament after tallying 2 goals and 7 assists for the U.S. women's hockey team.

Hilary Knight

The most decorated player in U.S. women's hockey history, Knight capped off her fifth and final Olympics by scoring the game-tying goal late in regulation to help the U.S. defeat Canada 2-1 in the gold medal game.

Boston Fleet

The Lowell-based professional women's hockey team that several of the U.S. Olympic gold medalists, including Keller, Frankel, and Winn, have played for.

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What they’re saying

“I'm lost for words. This is an incredible feeling. I love these girls so much. This group deserves it. Just the effort and the faith that we kept through this four-year journey is something very special.”

— Megan Keller

“Obviously, what she brings on the ice, not many can do. She's one of the best hockey players in the world. But I think learning from her most off the ice is her ability, even being who she is as one of the best players in the world, she brought everybody in the room together. And that's somebody you look to and everybody wanted to follow.”

— Megan Keller

What’s next

The Boston Fleet returns home to the Tsongas Center on March 21, 2026 to face the Seattle Torrent and Hilary Knight in what should be a special homecoming for the local Olympic heroes.

The takeaway

The success of these Lowell-area players on the Olympic stage underscores the growing strength of women's hockey in the region. The Boston Fleet has become a hub for top talent, and the local college programs have also produced several key contributors to the U.S. team. This Olympic triumph will inspire the next generation of young hockey players in the Merrimack Valley to follow in the footsteps of these local stars.