Megan Keller Scores Spectacular Golden Goal As Team USA Defeats Canada In OT
Feb 19, 2026, 2:35 PM | Updated: Feb 20, 2026, 2:24 pm
Megan Keller #5 of Team United States celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime as Claire Thompson #42 of Team Canada reacts during the Women's Gold Medal match between the United States and Canada on day 13 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 19, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images).
(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – It wasn’t the prettiest, nor the most ideal, but the United States Women’s hockey team snatched the gold medal right from underneath Canada’s nose as Megan Keller scored the golden goal to send equipment soaring in celebration.
Dangles past the defender and then goes backhand to beat Canada for the gold?
FILTHY walk off winner by Megan Keller.
Inject it into my veins.pic.twitter.com/ok7iSWIuQ5
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) February 19, 2026
Hilary Knight forces OT to keep USA alive against Canada
Despite dominating Team Canada 5-0 in the preliminary round last week, the United States faced a different opponent in the gold medal game as the Canadians saved their very best for last.
Known for winning the games that really matter, Canada disrupted the Americans for 58 minutes of the contest as they played with pace, physicality, effectively clogged passing lanes and then scored an opportunistic shorthanded goal to take the lead.
SHORTHANDED GOAL. 💪
It’s Kristin O’Neill who gives Canada the lead. pic.twitter.com/vapn6D28Hj
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 19, 2026
Enter the new Captain Clutch.
In desperate need of a goal to force overtime, local athlete and USA captain Hilary Knight tipped one right in front to tie the game with only two minutes remaining.
TIE GAME! TIE GAME! THE CAPTAIN! pic.twitter.com/Fg9ycbZ2BY
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 19, 2026
This not only kept the United States alive, but it energized the entire squad heading into the extra period.
Megan Keller scores walk off OT winner to claim gold for Team USA
Overtime three-on-three hockey is simply a different game as it prioritizes possession but often produces constant odd-man rushes with all the extra space.
After several Grade A scoring chances on both ends, Megan Keller called game as she dangled her way past the last defender and then beat Canada’s goaltender on the backhand to send the American bench into a yard sale frenzy.
SUDDEN GLORY. HISTORY MADE. 🥇 pic.twitter.com/4qk2EhlAZa
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 19, 2026
USA’s victory over Canada marks their third gold medal at the Olympics and the first since Pyeong Chang in 2018.
Who is Hilary Knight?
A native of Sun Valley, Idaho, Knight began playing hockey at the age of five when her family moved to Lake Forest, Illionis.
After playing college at the University of Wisconsin where she won two National Championships, Knight became the face of women’s hockey in the United States as she captured 10 World Championship gold medals and four Olympic medals.
When she’s not playing international hockey, Knight is the captain for the Seattle Torrent of the PWHL.
Notably, Knight trains part time in Utah with her fiancé and Team USA speed skater Brittany Bowe.
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What’s next for Team USA Hockey?
The United States Women’s hockey team will play for gold against Canada on Thursday at 11:10 a.m. MT.
After defeating Sweden, the United States Men’s hockey team will face Slovakia in the semifinal on Friday.
Puck drop is TBD.
Both games will be available to stream on Peacock.
Cole Bagley is the Utah Mammoth insider for KSL Sports. Keep up with him on X here. You can hear Cole break down the team on KSL Sports Zone and KSL 5 TV.
Take us with you, wherever you go.
