Team USA heads to the gold medal game in women’s hockey.
The United States women’s hockey team booked its spot in the final match with a dominant performance against Sweden, winning 5-0. Team USA broke the game open during a dominant stretch in the second period, and will now look to secure the gold medal later this week.
Cayla Barnes opened the scoring for Team USA just over five minutes into the match, launching a glove-side shot past the goalkeeper to give the United States an early 1-0 lead:
The goal came after a long period of pressure from the United States, as they masterfully handled the puck around the offensive end before Barnes’ goal.
Here’s another look at Team USA’s opening goal:
The teams headed into the first intermission with the United States leading 1-0, but the scoreboard told only part of the story. That first goalless period for Sweden extended Team USA’s record shutout streak, which dates back to its first game at the 2026 Winter Olympics against Czechia. The United States outshot Sweden 13-2 in the first period, and the American team’s offensive pressure left it feeling like the dam would soon break.
The dam held as the second half began, as Sweden enjoyed a sustained period of offensive pressure in the first two minutes and doubled its shot total. Sweden outshot the United States 5-1 during the first five minutes of the second half, keeping Team USA goalkeeper Aerin Frankel busy.
Sweden then got its first power play opportunity of the game, when Hayley Scamurra was tripped with 14 minutes left in the second half. But Team USA overturned the penalty, as Frankel made a pair of saves to keep the game at 1-0.
The United States nearly scored just after the penalty expired during a flurry of activity in front of the net, with Hillary Knight among those with a chance to double Team USA’s lead. While Sweden held during that exchange, they did not a few moments later:
Team USA got a 2-on-1 break with Hannah Bilka and Taylor Heise, and Bilka fed Heise late for the second goal of the game. Bilka did a tremendous job selling the shot, before delaying the broadcast.
Team USA extended that lead late in the second half after a defensive lapse by Sweden in their own half. Abbey Murphy sneaked behind the defense, before stealing an absolute missile from the goalkeeper for Team USA’s third goal of the game.
Then it was Kendall Coyne Schofield’s turn, who deflected a Laila Edwards rocket from the slot.
With a pair of goals in just under a minute, the dam had broken, and Sweden turned to their backup goalkeeper.
But that didn’t matter, as Team USA scored its fourth goal of the second period, and third in as many minutes, thanks to Schmarra following a perfect pass from Britta Curl.
You can see the three objectives here:
It was a tremendous response from Team USA after Sweden enjoyed the game to start the second half. After being outshot during that stretch, the United States came to life and took control of the contest. When the horn sounded for the second intermission, the scoreboard told the full story.
Team USA largely controlled the pace of play along the perimeter during the third period, ruining the 5-0 victory. They have yet to concede a goal since their first game against Czechia, and Monday’s game was their fifth consecutive draw. They have not allowed a goal in more than 16 periods.
The United States will now face the winner of the other semifinal between Switzerland and Canada, which will be played later today. Team USA already defeated both teams 5-0 at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Switzerland-Canada begins Monday at 3:10 p.m. ET.
The gold medal game is scheduled for Thursday at 1:10 p.m. ET.