US Women's Hockey Team Crushes Canada 5-0 in Dominant Olympic Performance at Milan-Cortina 2026

The United States women's hockey team delivered a stunning statement victory at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics on Tuesday, crushing traditional rivals Canada 5-0 in a dominant performance that extended their shutout streak to 151 minutes and sent shockwaves through the international hockey community.

Hannah Bilka scored twice to lead the American assault, while Carolina Harvey contributed a goal and two assists, and Abbey Murphy added three assists in what many are calling one of the most complete performances in recent Olympic hockey history. The victory marked the fourth straight game in which the US has scored in every period while maintaining their iron grip on defensive excellence.

The game was described by observers as both "meaningless and vitally important" — meaningless because both teams had already secured their positions in the tournament bracket, but vitally important as a psychological battleground between the sport's two greatest powers ahead of the medal rounds.

Canada entered the match without their captain and star player Marie-Philip Poulin, who was sidelined with an injury sustained in their previous game against Czechia. The absence of "Captain Clutch," who has scored three gold medal-clinching goals in her Olympic career, proved devastating to Canadian morale and structure.

American coach John Wroblewski expressed sympathy for Poulin's injury but emphasized his team's focus remained unwavering. "It's a shame about Marie-Philip, but our players executed perfectly," Wroblewski said following the victory. "We've been building toward this kind of complete game all tournament."

The US team's defensive dominance has become the story of the Milan-Cortina Games, with the Americans now having shut out three straight opponents while outscoring the field by a combined 15-0 margin. Their methodical, clinical approach to both ends of the ice has drawn comparisons to legendary American Olympic teams of the past.

Bilka's two-goal performance highlighted the depth of American scoring threats, while Harvey's playmaking ability showcased the team's tactical sophistication. Murphy's three assists demonstrated the unselfish style that has made this US squad particularly dangerous in tournament play.

For Canada, the defeat represents a significant setback as they prepare for the medal rounds. The defending Olympic champions, seeking their sixth gold medal, now face questions about their ability to compete without Poulin, whose status for upcoming games remains uncertain.

The injury occurred when Czechia's Kristyna Kaltounkova collided with Poulin in the first period of their previous game. Poulin attempted to return but was visibly favoring her right leg and did not finish the contest. Her absence Tuesday was felt immediately as Canada struggled to generate offensive pressure against the suffocating American defense.

This victory continues the United States' dominant Olympic tournament run, where they have outscored opponents 20-0 through four games. The team's combination of offensive depth, defensive structure, and goaltending excellence has established them as overwhelming favorites for Olympic gold.

The psychological impact of this result cannot be overstated. Canada has long considered itself the premier women's hockey nation, but the Americans' systematic dismantling of their rivals suggests a potential changing of the guard at the highest levels of international competition.

Both teams advance to the quarterfinal round, where Canada will face an opponent yet to be determined on Saturday, while the United States will enter their match as heavy favorites with momentum clearly on their side. The victory serves as a powerful reminder that in Olympic hockey, dominant performances can shift the entire trajectory of medal competition.

The shutout streak now stands as the longest by any team at these Olympics, and the Americans show no signs of slowing their relentless pursuit of gold at the Milan-Cortina Games.