The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina delivered a historic conclusion to the men’s ice hockey tournament. With NHL players returning to the Olympic stage, the games featured elite talent and high-stakes drama.
Gold Medal Game: USA vs. Canada
Result: USA 2, Canada 1 (OT)
In a storybook finish, the United States captured the gold medal exactly 46 years to the day after the 1980 “Miracle on Ice.” This was the Americans’ first men’s hockey gold since that legendary victory.
The Hero:Jack Hughes scored the “Golden Goal” 1:41 into the 3-on-3 overtime period, sliding the puck through the legs of Canadian goaltender Jordan Binnington.
The Wall: U.S. goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was the game’s standout performer, making 41 saves on 42 shots. His performance was highlighted by a desperate “stick save” in the third period that kept the game tied.
Key Moments: * Matt Boldy opened the scoring for the U.S. early in the first period.
Canada’s Cale Makar equalized late in the second period on a feed from Devon Toews.
Canada played without captain Sidney Crosby, who was sidelined with a lower-body injury.
Tournament MVP: Despite the loss, Connor McDavid was named Tournament MVP, leading all scorers with 13 points.
46-Year Drought Ends in Milan, Italy.
Bronze Medal Game: Finland vs. Slovakia
Result: Finland 6, Slovakia 1
One day prior, Finland secured their place on the podium with a dominant performance over Slovakia, marking their fourth straight Olympic medal in tournaments featuring NHL players.
The Surge: The game was tightly contested until the third period, when Finland exploded for four goals to break it open.
Top Performers: * Sebastian Aho opened the scoring and finished the tournament as Finland’s leading goal scorer.
Erik Haula scored the eventual game-winner in the second period.
Goaltender Juuse Saros was stellar, stopping 30 of 31 shots to stifle the Slovakian offense.
The Consolation:Tomáš Tatar scored the lone goal for Slovakia, who finished fourth for the second consecutive Olympics.
It is finally happening. For the first time in 12 years, NHL players are back on the Olympic stage, and the script couldn’t be more perfect. On Sunday, February 22, 2026, the hockey world will stop as Canada and the United States face off for the Men’s Ice Hockey Gold Medal.
Here is everything you need to know heading into this “Battle of the Ages.”
Game Info & How to Watch
Date: Sunday, February 22, 2026
Time: 8:10 AM ET / 2:10 PM Local (Milan)
Venue: Santagiulia Arena, Milan, Italy
How to Watch: NBC/Peacock (USA), CBC/Sportsnet/TSN (Canada)
How They Got Here
Both teams come into the final undefeated, but their paths through the semifinals looked very different.
Canada (3-2 win vs. Finland): It was a nail-biter. Down 2-0 in the second period and playing without captain Sidney Crosby (lower-back injury), Canada looked in trouble. However, Shea Theodore tied it in the third, and Nathan MacKinnon buried the game-winner with just 35.2 seconds left to avoid overtime.
USA (6-2 win vs. Slovakia): The Americans took the “scenic route” through a stressful OT win against Sweden in the quarters, but they dismantled Slovakia in the semis. Jack Hughes scored twice, while Dylan Larkin, Jack Eichel, and Brady Tkachuk also found the net in a dominant performance.
Canada and the United States epic Gold Medal clash.
Key Matchups & Storylines
1. The Crosby Question
Sidney Crosby’s status is the biggest story in Milan. He missed the semifinal after an injury in the quarterfinal against Czechia. Coach Jon Cooper has hinted he is a “game-time decision,” but if the “Golden Goal” hero of 2010 can skate, expect him to be out there for what could be his final Olympic game.
2. The Next Generation: McDavid vs. Matthews
While the 2010 final was about Crosby and Miller, 2026 is about Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews. Both captains are in their prime, representing the absolute pinnacle of the sport. McDavid has been the engine for Canada, while Matthews has been a physical and tactical force for the U.S.
3. Ending the Drought
The U.S. is chasing history. They haven’t won Olympic gold in men’s hockey since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice.” For this generation of Americans, this is also a chance for revenge after losing to Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off final exactly one year ago today.
Comparison at a Glance
Feature
Team Canada 🇨🇦
Team USA 🇺🇸
Top Scorer
Nathan MacKinnon
Jack Hughes
Goaltender
Jordan Binnington
Connor Hellebuyck
Power Play
Clinical (led by Makar/McDavid)
Explosive (led by Fox/Hughes)
Last Gold
2014 (Sochi)
1980 (Lake Placid)
Recent Result
Won 4 Nations Final (2025)
Won 4 Nations Round Robin (2025)
Based on the semifinal rotations and the latest injury reports from Milan, here is how the lines are expected to look for the Gold Medal Game.
Team Canada: The “Crosby” Pivot
The big story remains Sidney Crosby. While he missed the semifinal against Finland, he skated in a private session Friday and is considered a “game-time decision.” If he plays, he likely slides back into the middle, shifting Nick Suzuki back to a depth/scratch role.
Line
Left Wing
Center
Right Wing
Line 1
Macklin Celebrini
Connor McDavid (C)
Tom Wilson
Line 2
Brandon Hagel
Nathan MacKinnon
Sam Reinhart
Line 3
Mitch Marner
Sidney Crosby (GTD)
Mark Stone
Line 4
Brad Marchand
Nick Suzuki
Sam Bennett
D-Pair 1
Devon Toews
Cale Makar
D-Pair 2
Josh Morrissey
Drew Doughty
D-Pair 3
Shea Theodore
Travis Sanheim
Starting G
Jordan Binnington
Note: If Crosby cannot go, Nick Suzuki will likely center the third line between Marner and Stone, as he did in the 3-2 win over Finland.
Team USA: Rolling Four Lines
Coach John Hynes has found lightning in a bottle with the Hughes-Larkin connection. One minor concern is Tage Thompson, who left the semifinal early for “precautionary reasons,” but early reports from the U.S. camp suggest he’ll be ready for the final.
Line
Left Wing
Center
Right Wing
Line 1
Matthew Tkachuk
Auston Matthews (C)
Jack Eichel
Line 2
Jack Hughes
Dylan Larkin
Kyle Connor
Line 3
Brady Tkachuk
J.T. Miller
Matt Boldy
Line 4
Jake Guentzel
Vinny Trocheck
Tage Thompson
D-Pair 1
Quinn Hughes
Brock Faber
D-Pair 2
Zach Werenski
Charlie McAvoy
D-Pair 3
Jaccob Slavin
Adam Fox
Starting G
Connor Hellebuyck
🔑 Strategic Keys
The Power Play: Canada’s top unit (McDavid, MacKinnon, Celebrini, Reinhart, Makar) has been lethal, but the U.S. penalty kill has not allowed a single goal all tournament (15-for-15). Something has to give.
Defense Scoring:Zach Werenski and Quinn Hughes are both on pace to set Olympic records for points by a defenseman. Canada’s forwards will need to be diligent in their back-checking to neutralize the American “active D” style.
The Netminders: This is the most anticipated goalie duel in years. Binnington is a “big game” hunter, but Hellebuyck is the reigning Vezina (and potentially Hart) winner playing at the peak of his powers.
Prediction
Canada has the edge in experience and “clutch” history, but the U.S. currently looks like the faster, more cohesive unit through the knockout rounds. If Hellebuyck stands tall and Canada is without a 100% healthy Crosby, the Americans might finally break the 46-year gold medal drought.
In the eighth Olympic final meeting between these two titans, the United States reclaimed gold in a thrilling come-from-behind victory.For much of the game, it looked as though Canada’s defensive grit would carry them to another title.
The Breakthrough: After a scoreless first period, Canada’s Kristin O’Neill broke the deadlock just 54 seconds into the second frame with a clinical short-handed goal.
The Equalizer: With the clock winding down and the U.S. goalie pulled, captain Hilary Knight—playing in her final Olympic Games—tipped in a shot from Laila Edwards with just over two minutes remaining in regulation.
The Golden Goal: At 4:07 into the 3-on-3 overtime period, Megan Keller maneuvered past the Canadian defense and tucked the puck home, securing the third gold medal in U.S. women’s hockey history and ending Canada’s reign.
United States reclaimed gold in Milano Cortina
Women’s Bronze Medal Game: Switzerland vs. Sweden
Final Score: Switzerland 2, Sweden 1 (OT)
History repeated itself in the bronze medal match as Switzerland defeated Sweden to claim their first Olympic medal since 2014. In a poetic twist, the hero of the Sochi Games returned to the spotlight.
Regulation Battle: Sweden took the lead in the second period via a “missile” from Mira Jungaker, but the Swiss responded quickly with an equalizer from Sinja Leemann.
The Hero:Alina Müller, who scored the bronze-clinching goal as a 15-year-old in 2014, did it again.With just 50 seconds left in overtime, Müller fired a laser into the net to ignite a massive Swiss celebration.
The greatest rivalry in women’s sports returns to the ultimate stage. On Thursday, February 19, 2026, Canada and the United States will meet in the gold medal game of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.
This matchup marks the 7th time in 8 Olympic tournaments that these two nations have battled for gold. Here is everything you need to know ahead of the puck drop.
Game Info & How to Watch
Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026
Time: 19:10 CET (Local) / 1:10 PM ET / 10:10 AM PT
Venue: Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena
Broadcast: USA Network/Peacock (USA), CBC/TSN (Canada)
The State of the Rivalry
While Canada enters as the defending Olympic champion (Beijing 2022), the United States arrives as the heavy favorite based on recent form.
Preliminary Statement: In their group-stage meeting on February 10, the U.S. delivered a historic 5-0 shutout against Canada. It was the largest margin of victory in their Olympic history and the first time Canada has ever been shut out in an Olympic game.
The “Poulin Factor”: Canada played that preliminary loss without captain Marie-Philip Poulin, who was sidelined with an injury. She returned for the playoffs and recently became the all-time leading Olympic goal scorer (20 goals) during Canada’s 2-1 semifinal win over Switzerland.
U.S. Dominance: The Americans have been flawless, outscoring opponents 31-1 through six games. They are currently on a record-breaking shutout streak of over 331 minutes, led by goaltender Aerin Frankel, who has three shutouts in this tournament alone.
Clash of the titans
Players to Watch
Team
Player
Why They Matter
USA
Aerin Frankel
Has allowed only one goal all tournament; the backbone of the U.S. defense.
USA
Caroline Harvey
The tournament’s top-scoring defenseman; elite at transition and power-play puck movement.
CAN
Marie-Philip Poulin
Known as “Captain Clutch” for scoring in four different Olympic gold medal games.
CAN
Anne-Renée Desbiens
Will need a legendary performance to match the U.S. fire-power and keep Canada in the game.
Historical Context
Olympic Gold Medals: Canada (5), USA (2).
Recent History: The U.S. has won seven straight games against Canada dating back to the 2025 World Championships.
The Streak: The only time these two did not meet in the final was 2006—also held in Italy—when Sweden upset the U.S. in the semifinals.
The Bottom Line: The U.S. looks invincible, but Canada specializes in winning the one game that matters most. With Poulin back in the lineup and the “underdog” tag firmly on their backs, the Canadians will be looking to spoil the American’s perfect run.
Based on recent performances in the preliminary rounds and the semifinals in Milan, here are the projected starting lineups and line combinations for the gold medal game.
The big news for Canada is the return of Marie-Philip Poulin to the top unit after she missed time earlier in the tournament. For the U.S., they are expected to stick with the “Minnesota Line” and the dominant goaltending of Aerin Frankel.
Team Canada Projected Lineup
Head Coach Troy Ryan has leaned into veteran experience while rewarding the scoring touch of newcomer Daryl Watts.
Unit
Left Wing
Center
Right Wing
Line 1
Emma Maltais
Marie-Philip Poulin
Natalie Spooner
Line 2
Daryl Watts
Sarah Nurse
Sarah Fillier
Line 3
Emily Clark
Blayre Turnbull
Laura Stacey
Line 4
Julia Gosling
Kristin O’Neill
Brianne Jenner
Defense Pairings
Left Defense
Right Defense
Pair 1
Jocelyne Larocque
Renata Fast
Pair 2
Ella Shelton
Erin Ambrose
Pair 3
Claire Thompson
Sophie Jaques
Starting Goaltender:Ann-Renée Desbiens (Confirmed as the primary starter for medal games).
Team USA Projected Lineup
Coach John Wroblewski has kept his forward lines remarkably consistent throughout their record-breaking shutout streak.
Unit
Left Wing
Center
Right Wing
Line 1
Alex Carpenter
Tessa Janecke
Hilary Knight
Line 2
Kendall Coyne Schofield
Taylor Heise
Abbey Murphy
Line 3
Hannah Bilka
Kelly Pannek
Grace Zumwinkle
Line 4
Joy Dunne
Kirsten Simms
Britta Curl-Salemme
Defense Pairings
Left Defense
Right Defense
Pair 1
Megan Keller
Laila Edwards
Pair 2
Caroline Harvey
Haley Winn
Pair 3
Lee Stecklein
Cayla Barnes
Starting Goaltender:Aerin Frankel (Currently on a historic Olympic shutout streak).
Lineup Notes to Watch
The Goalie Duel: This game features a battle between the veteran Desbiens, who has been in this pressure cooker many times, and Frankel, who has been mathematically the best goalie in the world over the last two weeks.
Canada’s “Bottom Six”: Interestingly, Canada’s 4th line (O’Neill, Jenner, Gosling) has been more productive than their top lines at times during this tournament. Watch for them to get extra shifts if the top guns are neutralized early.
U.S. Blue Line Offense: Unlike Canada, the U.S. gets a massive portion of its scoring from the defense, specifically Caroline Harvey. Canada will likely task the Turnbull/Stacey line with shadowing her to prevent clean breakouts.
The 2026 Men’s Olympic Ice Hockey tournament in Milano Cortina marks a historic return to “best-on-best” hockey. For the first time since Sochi 2014, NHL players will grace the Olympic stage, bringing together the greatest generational talents—some of whom, like Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews, have never before had the chance to represent their countries at this level.
Group A: The Heavyweight & The Challengers
Teams
Group A is headlined by the tournament favorite, Canada, but it is far from a one-team show. The presence of a revitalized Czech squad and a Swiss team laden with NHL veterans makes this the most physically demanding group.
Key Players
Canada:Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, and Nathan MacKinnon. The “Big Three” represent three of the best players in the world. Watch for 19-year-old Macklin Celebrini to provide youthful energy.
Czechia:David Pastrnak remains one of the world’s premier snipers.He is supported by Martin Necas and veteran defenseman Radko Gudas.
Switzerland: Defensive stalwart Roman Josi leads the charge, alongside New Jersey Devils stars Nico Hischier and Timo Meier.
The Storyline: Passing the Torch
The world is waiting to see the chemistry between Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid. As Crosby enters the twilight of his legendary career, he looks to mentor McDavid in his first Olympic appearance. Meanwhile, Czechia comes in with chips on their shoulders, looking to prove they can still topple the “Big Three” nations (Canada, USA, Sweden).
Group B: The Tactical Gauntlet
Teams
Group B is a chess match. Featuring the last two Olympic gold medalists (Finland 2022, Sweden 2006/Sochi Silver), this group is defined by structure, elite goaltending, and home-ice passion from the hosts.
Key Players
Sweden:William Nylander and Elias Pettersson lead an explosive offense, but the real strength is the blueline: Victor Hedman, Rasmus Dahlin, and Erik Karlsson.
Finland: Despite missing Aleksander Barkov due to injury, the Finns rely on Mikko Rantanen, Sebastian Aho, and star goalie Juuse Saros.
Slovakia: The young core is led by former #1 overall pick Juraj Slafkovsky and defenseman Simon Nemec.
The Storyline: Scandinavian Supremacy
The rivalry between Sweden and Finland is the fiercest in international hockey. Sweden boasts perhaps the best defensive corps in the tournament, while Finland relies on their “Sisu”—a relentless, disciplined system that frustrates high-octane offenses. Can Slovakia play spoiler and replicate their 2022 bronze-medal magic?
Group C: The American Ambition
Teams
The United States enters 2026 with arguably their deepest roster in history. However, they face a Group C filled with “giant killers”—nations like Germany and Latvia that have recently made deep runs in World Championships.
Key Players
United States:Auston Matthews, Jack Hughes, and Matthew Tkachuk provide elite scoring. On defense, Quinn Hughes and Adam Fox (if healthy) or Charlie McAvoy drive the play.
Germany: The undeniable leader is Leon Draisaitl, supported by elite young defenseman Moritz Seider and winger Tim Stützle.
Latvia: They go as far as their goaltending takes them, led by Elvis Merzlikins and Arturs Silovs.
The Storyline: Gold or Bust for Team USA
The Americans haven’t won Olympic Gold since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice.” With a roster that matches Canada’s skill for the first time in decades, the pressure is on. This group will test their maturity—can they avoid a “trap game” against a gritty German squad that famously took silver in 2018?
To round out the Olympic experience, here is the preliminary schedule and the marquee matchups that will determine who earns the coveted bye into the Quarterfinals.
Preliminary Round Schedule
All times are listed in Eastern Time (ET). Local time in Milan is +6 hours.
Group A: Canada, Czechia, Switzerland, France
Date
Matchup
Time (ET)
Venue
Thu, Feb 12
Switzerland vs. France
6:10 AM
Santagiulia Arena
Thu, Feb 12
Czechia vs. Canada
10:40 AM
Santagiulia Arena
Fri, Feb 13
France vs. Czechia
10:40 AM
Santagiulia Arena
Fri, Feb 13
Canada vs. Switzerland
3:10 PM
Santagiulia Arena
Sun, Feb 15
Switzerland vs. Czechia
6:10 AM
Santagiulia Arena
Sun, Feb 15
Canada vs. France
10:40 AM
Santagiulia Arena
Group B: Finland, Sweden, Slovakia, Italy
Date
Matchup
Time (ET)
Venue
Wed, Feb 11
Slovakia vs. Finland
10:40 AM
Santagiulia Arena
Wed, Feb 11
Sweden vs. Italy
3:10 PM
Santagiulia Arena
Fri, Feb 13
Finland vs. Sweden
6:10 AM
Santagiulia Arena
Fri, Feb 13
Italy vs. Slovakia
6:10 AM
Rho Arena
Sat, Feb 14
Sweden vs. Slovakia
6:10 AM
Santagiulia Arena
Sat, Feb 14
Finland vs. Italy
10:40 AM
Santagiulia Arena
Group C: United States, Germany, Latvia, Denmark
Date
Matchup
Time (ET)
Venue
Thu, Feb 12
Latvia vs. USA
3:10 PM
Santagiulia Arena
Thu, Feb 12
Germany vs. Denmark
3:10 PM
Rho Arena
Sat, Feb 14
Germany vs. Latvia
6:10 AM
Rho Arena
Sat, Feb 14
USA vs. Denmark
3:10 PM
Santagiulia Arena
Sun, Feb 15
Denmark vs. Latvia
1:10 PM
Rho Arena
Sun, Feb 15
USA vs. Germany
3:10 PM
Santagiulia Arena
Key Head-to-Head Battles
1. Canada vs. Czechia (Feb 12)
This is arguably the most anticipated opening-day matchup. It’s the ultimate test of the “new” Canada vs. the “defensive” Czechia. The Czechs have a knack for frustrating high-skill teams with an active trap, and David Pastrnak only needs one chance to flip a game. For Canada, a win here is essential to avoid a difficult seeding path.
2. Finland vs. Sweden (Feb 13)
The “Battle of the Nordics” is rarely about skill alone—it’s about pride. Historically, Finland’s rigid structure has stifled Sweden’s creativity. This year, the focus is on the Swedish blueline vs. the Finnish forecheck. With Juuse Saros in net for Finland, Sweden will need William Nylander to be at his most clinical.
3. USA vs. Germany (Feb 15)
While the Americans are heavily favored, Germany has become a legitimate international power. The battle at center between Auston Matthews and Leon Draisaitl is a dream matchup for hockey fans. If Germany can keep it a one-goal game into the third period, they have the veteran poise to pull off an upset that would throw Group C into chaos.
What’s Next for the Winners?
After the preliminary round ends on Feb 15, the top four teams (the three group winners plus the best second-place team) will receive a bye directly to the Quarterfinals on Wednesday, Feb 18. The remaining eight teams will play in a “Qualification Round” on Tuesday, Feb 17.
To help you track the tournament as it unfolds, here is the official 2026 Men’s Olympic Ice Hockey Bracket.
Unlike standard tournaments, the Olympics uses a unique seeding system where the preliminary round performance determines the entire knockout path.
📅 Phase 1: The Elimination Playoff
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
All teams not finishing in the top 4 of the combined preliminary rankings must play this “Round of 16” style game to survive.
Matchup
Time (ET)
Venue
Game 1: Seed #5 vs. Seed #12
6:10 AM
Santagiulia Arena
Game 2: Seed #6 vs. Seed #11
6:10 AM
Rho Arena
Game 3: Seed #7 vs. Seed #10
10:40 AM
Santagiulia Arena
Game 4: Seed #8 vs. Seed #9
3:10 PM
Santagiulia Arena
🏆 Phase 2: The Knockout Bracket
Once the play-in games are complete, the “Big Four” (the three group winners and the best second-place team) join the winners for the dash to the podium.
Quarterfinals: Wednesday, Feb 18
QF1: Seed #1 vs. Winner of Game 4 (8 vs 9)
QF2: Seed #2 vs. Winner of Game 3 (7 vs 10)
QF3: Seed #3 vs. Winner of Game 2 (6 vs 11)
QF4: Seed #4 vs. Winner of Game 1 (5 vs 12)
Semifinals: Friday, Feb 20
SF1: Highest remaining seed vs. Lowest remaining seed (10:40 AM ET)
After the preliminary round, teams are ranked 1D through 12D based on:
Position in Group (All 1st place teams are seeds 1-3; 2nd place are 4-6, etc.)
Points earned in group play (3 for a win, 2 for OT win, 1 for OT loss)
Goal Differential
Goals Scored
2025 IIHF World Ranking (if all else is tied)
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on Group C (USA/Germany) and Group A (Canada/Czechia). Because only the best 2nd place team gets a bye, a single overtime loss in group play could force a powerhouse like Canada or the USA to play an extra “Qualification” game on Feb 17.
As the puck drops in Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics, the landscape of women’s ice hockey has never been more electric. While the historic rivalry between Canada and the United States remains the crown jewel of the tournament, the rise of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) has leveled the playing field, making the European and Asian powerhouses more dangerous than ever.
Here is your guide to the key players and head-to-head dynamics for the Milano Cortina 2026 tournament.
Group A: The Powerhouse Division
Group A features the top five seeds in the world. Under the Olympic format, all five teams in this group automatically advance to the quarterfinals, with their round-robin games determining seeding.
Key Players to Watch
Country
Key Player
Why They Matter
Canada
Marie-Philip Poulin
Known as “Captain Clutch,” Poulin is chasing her fifth Olympic medal. She is the heart of the defending gold medalists.
USA
Hilary Knight
The veteran captain and all-time leading scorer in Women’s World Championship history. This is likely her Olympic “Last Dance.”
Finland
Jenni Hiirikoski
One of the greatest defenders to ever play the game. Her leadership is vital for a Finnish team hunting for more than bronze.
Czechia
Daniela Pejšová
A premier young defender whose physical play and offensive instincts have helped Czechia climb the world rankings.
Switzerland
Alina Müller
A PWHL standout with the Boston Fleet, Müller is the engine of the Swiss offense and a constant threat on the power play.
Head-to-Head Dynamics
USA vs. Canada: The Americans enter as the top-ranked team, having recently dominated the Rivalry Series.However, Canada holds the “Gold Standard,” having beaten the USA 3-2 in the Beijing 2022 final.
The “Bronze” Battle: Finland and Czechia have developed a fierce rivalry for the #3 spot. Finland has historically held the edge, but Czechia’s recent World Championship successes make this the most unpredictable matchup in the group.
Group A feeling the vide of the Olympics
Group B: The Fight for Survival
In Group B, the stakes are higher: only the top three teams advance to the quarterfinals to face the giants of Group A.
Key Players to Watch
Country
Key Player
Why They Matter
Japan
Haruka Toko
An elite playmaker who excels in Japan’s high-speed, disciplined transition game.
Sweden
Hilda Svensson
Only 19, she is the future of Swedish hockey and already their most lethal offensive weapon.
Germany
Sandra Abstreiter
A brick wall in net. For Germany to upset the higher seeds, they will rely on her PWHL-caliber goaltending.
Italy
Nadia Mattivi
The host nation’s star defender. Played NCAA hockey in the US and brings veteran stability to the home crowd.
France
Chloé Aurard
A fast, creative forward who proved her worth in the PWHL and will be France’s primary scoring threat.
Head-to-Head Dynamics
Sweden vs. Japan: This is the marquee matchup of Group B. Japan’s speed often frustrates the more physical Swedes, but Sweden has seen a massive resurgence in talent over the last two years.
The Host Factor: Italy hasn’t competed in the Olympic women’s tournament since they last hosted in 2006. While they are the underdogs, the home crowd in Milan will be a significant factor in their games against France and Germany.
Group B hoping for an upset at the Olympics
Tournament Format Recap
Group A: Canada, USA, Finland, Czechia, Switzerland (All 5 advance).
Group B: Japan, Sweden, Germany, Italy, France (Top 3 advance).
Quarterfinals: A1 vs. B3 | A2 vs. B2 | A3 vs. B1 | A4 vs. A5.
The Group A preliminary round is the “championship before the championship.” Since all five teams are guaranteed a spot in the quarterfinals, these games are a high-stakes chess match to determine who gets the easiest path through the knockout bracket.
Here is the complete Group A schedule for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Group A Preliminary Schedule
All times are listed in Eastern Time (ET). For local Milan time, add 6 hours.
Date
Matchup
Time (ET)
Venue
Thursday, Feb. 5
USA vs. Czechia
10:40 AM
Milano Rho Arena
Thursday, Feb. 5
Finland vs. Canada
3:10 PM
Milano Rho Arena
Friday, Feb. 6
Czechia vs. Switzerland
8:40 AM
PalaItalia Santa Giulia
Saturday, Feb. 7
USA vs. Finland
10:40 AM
Milano Rho Arena
Saturday, Feb. 7
Switzerland vs. Canada
3:10 PM
Milano Rho Arena
Sunday, Feb. 8
Czechia vs. Finland
3:10 PM
Milano Rho Arena
Monday, Feb. 9
Switzerland vs. USA
2:40 PM
PalaItalia Santa Giulia
Monday, Feb. 9
Canada vs. Czechia
3:10 PM
Milano Rho Arena
Tuesday, Feb. 10
Canada vs. USA
2:10 PM
PalaItalia Santa Giulia
Tuesday, Feb. 10
Finland vs. Switzerland
3:10 PM
Milano Rho Arena
The “Big One”: Canada vs. USA
The Group A finale on February 10 is the most anticipated game of the round-robin. Traditionally, the winner of this game takes the #1 seed and avoids the toughest potential semifinal opponent.
Watch for: The battle of the goaltenders. With Ann-Renée Desbiens (CAN) and Aerin Frankel (USA) likely guarding the pipes, goals will be hard to come by.
PWHL Connection: This will be the first Olympic meeting where almost every player on the ice is a teammate or rival in the same professional league, adding a layer of familiarity—and perhaps some extra “chippiness”—to the contest.
Knockout Stage Preview
Once the group stage concludes, the teams will have two days of rest before the single-elimination rounds begin:
Quarterfinals: Feb 13–14
Semifinals: Feb 16
Gold Medal Game: Feb 19 (1:10 PM ET)
While Group A is about seeding, Group B is a pure battle for survival. Only the top three teams from this group will move on to the quarterfinals, while the bottom two will see their Olympic journey end early.
Because Group B features the host nation and teams that fought through rigorous qualifying tournaments, the energy in these matchups is often desperate and intense.
Group B Preliminary Schedule
All times are listed in Eastern Time (ET). Local Milan time is +6 hours.
Date
Matchup
Time (ET)
Venue
Thursday, Feb. 5
Sweden vs. Germany
6:10 AM
Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena
Thursday, Feb. 5
Italy vs. France
8:40 AM
PalaItalia Santa Giulia
Friday, Feb. 6
France vs. Japan
6:10 AM
Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena
Saturday, Feb. 7
Germany vs. Japan
6:10 AM
Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena
Saturday, Feb. 7
Sweden vs. Italy
8:40 AM
PalaItalia Santa Giulia
Sunday, Feb. 8
France vs. Sweden
10:40 AM
Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena
Monday, Feb. 9
Japan vs. Italy
6:10 AM
Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena
Monday, Feb. 9
Germany vs. France
10:40 AM
Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena
Tuesday, Feb. 10
Japan vs. Sweden
6:10 AM
Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena
Tuesday, Feb. 10
Italy vs. Germany
10:40 AM
Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena
Key Storylines in Group B
The “Smile Japan” Speed Trap
Japan is the highest-seeded team in this group and the favorite to take the #1 spot (which would lead to a quarterfinal against the A3 seed). Their game against Sweden on the final day of the round-robin (Feb 10) will likely decide who wins the group.
The Host’s Heroics
Italy, as the host nation, has the advantage of the home crowd at the PalaItalia Santa Giulia for two of their four games. Their opener against France is arguably their most important; a win there could provide the momentum needed to sneak into that third qualifying spot.
The “Bubble” Game
Watch Germany vs. France on February 9. These two programs are very evenly matched. Depending on earlier results, this game could effectively be an “elimination game” where the winner advances to the quarterfinals and the loser goes home.
What’s Next for the Winners?
The three teams that survive Group B will be re-seeded as B1, B2, and B3. They will then face the giants of Group A in the Quarterfinals starting on February 13:
