Legendary former NHL star Wayne Gretzky praised the rise of women’s hockey after the United States beat Canada 2-1 in overtime to win gold at the Milano Cortina 2026 Games.
The Hall of Famer said the sport’s growth shows how far the women’s game has come.
“One of the things I’m most proud of, and didn’t even come from me, but my dad was a big believer in women’s sports,” Gretzky said. “And he had one of the very first women’s hockey tournaments in Brantford, Ontario, way back in the mid-80s.”
On Thursday at Santagiulia Arena in Milan, defender Megan Keller ended another classic chapter in the rivalry. Keller scored on a backhand 4:07 into the 3-on-3 overtime period to give the U.S. its third Olympic gold and first since 2018.
The United States finished 7-0 and outscored opponents 33-2. It marked the first unbeaten Olympic run for the Americans since 1998.
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Hilary Knight forced overtime with 2:04 left in regulation, deflecting a point shot with goalie Aerin Frankel pulled. Knight set U.S. Olympic records for goals and points and said, “When you have a one-goal deficit against Canada, you have to find the back of the net.”
Frankel made 30 saves, while Caroline Harvey earned tournament MVP and best defender honors.
Canada Women hockey team’s captain Marie-Philip Poulin’s message after the loss
Speaking to the media after the gold loss and silver win, Marie-Philip Poulin talked about the rivalry with USA. She called it the best rivalry in the sport.
“That’s why it’s the best rivalry in the sport,” Poulin said.
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Poulin also talked about her potential retirement from international games and said she is unsure about her Olympic future.
“I am not sure yet,” Poulin said.
For Gretzky, the final offered proof that women’s hockey now stands on its own stage, built on decades of belief and work.