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The United States women’s ice hockey team was arm in arm, proudly singing the national anthem after defeating Canada 2-1 in a thrilling overtime victory to capture the gold medal at the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Games on Thursday.
“It’s the best part. The best part,” exclaimed Team USA captain Hilary Knight, who was at the microphone for the NBC broadcast for the moment, as the arena announcer asked the crowd to stand for the national anthem.
Team USA celebrates by singing the gold medal anthem at the victory ceremony following the women’s ice hockey gold medal game between the United States and Canada, 2-1 in overtime, on Day 13 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at the Milan Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy, Feb. 19, 2026. (EyesWideOpen/Getty Images)
American fans joined the gold medalists at the Milano Santagiulia ice hockey arena singing “The Star Spangled Banner.”
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“When you only get to hear your national anthem once and that’s if you win, it’s amazing,” forward Taylor Heise said. Sam Farnsworth of KSL-TV of the moment. “Being able to listen to that national anthem and be in [the podium] with your girls and celebrating that big win is huge.
Knight stood by his statement that this women’s ice hockey team is “America’s team.”
“To find success on the world stage representing your country, I mean, and with the anthem going, it’s just incredible,” he said. KSL-TV.
Kendall Coyne, left, of the United States, and Hilary Knight of the United States celebrate after the women’s ice hockey victory ceremony at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Feb. 19, 2026. (Hassan Ammar/AP Photo)
HILARY KNIGHT MAKES OLYMPIC HISTORY WITH A DRAMATIC GOAL THAT IMPACTED TEAM USA’S GOLD.
Knight made history by scoring the tying goal with 2:04 left in regulation to force overtime. The score marked his 15th goal and 33rd point of his Olympic career, both American records. Megan Keller found the back of the net with a backhand 4:07 into overtime to secure the gold medal.
“This team has a lot of determination. They never give up. Always ready to fight and go to battle,” Knight said. “It’s just a testament to the preparation of our group and the love we have in that room, and how we found a way to get the job done at the end of the night.”
The focus now turns to men’s soccer as Team USA hopes to win another gold. They will face Slovakia in the semi-finals on Friday.
Megan Keller (5) celebrates with a flag alongside Cayla Barnes (3) of Team USA after scoring the winning goal in overtime during the women’s gold medal match against Canada on Day 13 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at the Milan Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy, Feb. 19, 2026. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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“We talked about it last night; we were talking about it again this morning,” coach Mike Sullivan said of the women’s gold medal. “It’s a huge thrill. Those girls, what a fantastic hockey team, and they will be an inspiration to the next generation of girls growing up in the United States… We couldn’t be more proud of them.”
