The greatest rivalry in international hockey reaches its fever pitch today, Thursday, February 19, 2026. At the Milano Cortina Winter Games, Team Canada takes the ice against the United States to determine who walks away with Olympic gold.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!For fans of the “Maple Leaf,” this isn’t just a game—it’s a shot at redemption after a bruising loss to the Americans earlier in the tournament.
Where to Watch the Action
The gold medal game is scheduled for a 1:10 p.m. ET puck drop.
- In Canada: Tune in to CBC, TSN, or Sportsnet. You can stream the game live on CBC Gem.
- In the U.S.: The game will air on NBC and USA Network, with streaming available on Peacock.
The Matchup: By the Numbers
| Feature | Team Canada | Team USA |
| Current Status | Defending 2022 Champions | Preliminary Round Winners |
| Player to Watch | Marie-Philip Poulin (Captain) | Caroline Harvey (Lead Scorer) |
| Goalie Form | Solid, veteran presence | Aerin Frankel (Shutout streak) |
| Historical Edge | Won 5 of 7 Olympic Golds | Won 2 of 7 Olympic Golds |
Key Storylines
- Poulin’s Magic: Marie-Philip Poulin, recently crowned the all-time Olympic goal leader, has scored in four different gold medal games. All eyes are on whether “Captain Canada” can deliver one more clutch performance.
- The American Wall: Team USA’s defense has been nearly impenetrable this year. Goaltender Aerin Frankel enters the final with a massive shutout streak, posing a major challenge for the Canadian snipers.
- The Rematch: The U.S. dominated the preliminary round with a 5-0 victory over Canada. While that game didn’t eliminate anyone, it set a psychological tone that Canada will be eager to erase within the first ten minutes of play.
