The United States women's national ice hockey team is embarking on its journey to secure an Olympic gold medal, a title they last claimed in 2018. Their campaign commences with a preliminary round match against Czechia at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games. Having recently triumphed at the World Championship in April and decisively defeated Canada in the 2025 Rivalry Series, the American squad is considered a formidable contender for the top honor. Meanwhile, Czechia aims to achieve its first-ever podium finish at the Winter Olympics.
A significant highlight for the U.S. team is the presence of veteran forward Hilary Knight, who is set to make history as the first American hockey player, male or female, to compete in five Olympic Games. As the newly appointed team captain, Knight is also nearing a personal milestone, needing just three more goals to become the all-time leading Olympic scorer for U.S. women's hockey.
USA Women's Hockey Kicks Off Olympic Quest Against Czechia
The U.S. women's ice hockey team initiates its pursuit of Olympic gold at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games with an opening match against Czechia. The American squad, having recently secured a World Championship title and dominated the 2025 Rivalry Series against Canada, enters the tournament as a formidable frontrunner. Their strong performance in previous competitions positions them as clear favorites to contend for the gold medal, aiming to replicate their success from 2018. This initial game against Czechia is a crucial first step in their ambitious Olympic journey.
The highly anticipated preliminary game between the U.S. women's national hockey team and Czechia is scheduled for Thursday, February 5th, at 10:40 a.m. Eastern Time. The match will take place at the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena in Milan. This encounter marks the start of the Olympic tournament for both teams. The U.S. team, seeded as the top contender in Group A, which also includes strong rivals like reigning Olympic champion Canada, 2022 bronze medalist Finland, and Switzerland, will look to set a dominant tone from the outset. Czechia, aspiring for its inaugural Olympic medal, faces a significant challenge against the well-prepared American side.
Hilary Knight: A Legacy in the Making at Milan 2026
Hilary Knight, a distinguished figure in American ice hockey, is poised to create new records at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. As she steps onto the ice for her fifth Olympic appearance, Knight will become the first U.S. hockey player, regardless of gender, to achieve this remarkable feat. Beyond this historic participation, her role as the team captain underscores her leadership and invaluable experience. With just three goals separating her from becoming the all-time leading U.S. women's Olympic scorer, Knight's performance will be keenly watched as she aims to etch her name further into Olympic history.
The U.S. women's team is grouped in Group A, a challenging pool that includes formidable opponents such as Canada, Finland, and Switzerland, alongside Czechia. Group B features teams like Japan, Sweden, Germany, Italy, and France. On the opening day, in addition to the U.S. versus Czechia game, other women's hockey matchups include Sweden against Germany and Italy versus France. Notably, the game between Canada and Finland has been rescheduled due to health concerns affecting the Finnish team. All eyes will be on the U.S. team as they navigate the preliminary rounds, with Knight leading the charge towards a potential gold medal finish and personal milestones.