50 Days Until The Winter Olympics: USA Women’s Hockey Finishes Unrivaled Sweep of Canada
If recent play is any indication, the USA women’s hockey team may be ready to dethrone Canada and blaze a trail to gold in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Fresh off a commanding performance in the 2025-26 Rivalry Series, the USA women’s hockey team didn’t just beat their arch-rivals from Canada, they dismantled them. The U.S. squad completed a 4-0 sweep, highlighted by a historic 10-goal outburst in Game 3, the most goals the American women’s team has ever scored against Canada.
The stakes are high for the US team: They want to avenge the loss in the 2022 Winter Olympics that ended in silver, as Team Canada celebrated from the gold medal platform.
USA Women’s Hockey Team Dominates Rivalry Series
The numbers tell a brutal story for the Canadians and a hopeful one for American fans. The U.S. has now won six straight games against Canada, a streak that includes the gold medal game at the 2025 World Championships.
Head coach John Wroblewski has reinforced his roster with a collection of youngsters over the last four years, and that speed is paying dividends. Following the sweep, Wroblewski remained focused on the ultimate prize.
“We expected them to come out swinging and were able to weather the storm. This was a strong game and gives us a lot to think about as we head into Milan,” said Team USA head coach John Wroblewski.
The dominance has certainly caught the attention of the opposition. Canada’s head coach Troy Ryan acknowledged the challenge his team faces against this specific American group.
“They’ve got a ton of youth. They’ve got a ton of speed. They’ve got a ton of skill. It doesn’t mean you can’t be successful against a group like that. But to do it, you’re going to have to compete. You’re going to have to play with structure,” Ryan said.
Key Players to Watch on the USA Women’s Hockey Roster
The current roster construction is a terrifying mix of decorated veterans and explosive young talent. Captain Hilary Knight is chasing history. If the U.S. medals in Milan, Knight will tie the record for the most Olympic hockey medals in history with five. She would also become the first U.S. hockey player to compete at five Winter Olympics.
However, the headlines are increasingly being stolen by the “youth movement.” Laila Edwards has become a cornerstone of the offense. Edwards is already the youngest American ever to win the tournament MVP award at a world championship.
On the back end, 23-year-old Caroline Harvey represents a shift toward a faster, more mobile defensive core. In net, Aerin Frankel has all but secured the starter’s crease. Frankel finished the Rivalry Series with a stellar .961 save percentage and a 1.00 goals-against average.
Despite the lopsided scores, the veterans know the job isn’t done.
Road to the 2026 Winter Olympics
Preparation for these games looks different than in years past. The team has transitioned to a “new normal” due to the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) schedule. Instead of a traditional six-month residency, the team utilized a high-intensity “sprint” model, including an August orientation camp and the Rivalry Series. Now, players return to the PWHL to maintain game-level fitness before reconvening in February for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
USA Hockey is expected to name the final 23-player Olympic roster, 20 skaters and three goaltenders, in late December 2025 or early January 2026. With the way the USA team is currently performing, the most difficult decisions for the coaching staff will likely be splitting hairs between depth candidates.
