Megan Keller’s HISTORIC OT Goal Secures Gold Medal for Team USA in Women’s Ice Hockey Against Rivals Canada

Megan Keller popped up in overtime to score the winning goal for Team USA in the women's ice hockey gold medal match against Canada.

Megan Keller’s HISTORIC OT Goal Secures Gold Medal for Team USA in Women’s Ice Hockey Against Rivals Canada

Megan Keller celebrating her OT winner (Image via X/@NBC10Boston)

Team USA are back on top of the women’s ice hockey mountain. On Thursday, the team came back from 1-0 down in the gold medal match and emerged as 2-1 winners in overtime through a historic goal from Megan Keller and broke the hearts of their Canadian rivals.

In the history of Women’s Olympics, only the USA and Canada had won the gold medal. While the U.S. won the gold in the 1998 and 2018 games, Canada took home the gold in 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2022.

This matchup was the 7th meeting between the two countries in the gold medal match. The USA, who were the heavy favorities to win, had conceded just one goal before the final and were undefeated. Canada, on the other hand, were crushed 5-0 by the Americans in the group stage phase.

After a goalless first period, the Canadians struck first in the second period. On a two-on-two shorthanded rush, Laura Stacey set up Kristin O’Neill for the opening goal. This goal brought an end to a remarkable 352-minute shutout streak.

With the USA trailing in the final moments, they would take out their goaltender, Aerin Frankel and put on an extra attacker. This move worked out for them as team captain Hilary Knight came up with a massive goal at the 57:56 minute mark to tie it up at 1-1.

This turned out to be Knight’s 15th goal in the Olympics and 33rd point, making her the highest points scorer in U.S. history.

Keller, who played a part in this goal with the assist, would then grab the headlines in overtime. In the 3-on-3 situation, the USA No.5 would receive the puck and skate across the defense before slotting the puck into the back of the net to win the game.

The triumph clinched a 3rd Olympic Gold medal for Team USA in women’s hockey and saw them avenge their loss four years ago in Beijing, China.

Keller finished the campaign as the joint-highest points scorer with 9 points (3 goals and 6 assists) in 7 games. She finished level with teammate Caroline Harvey, who also had 9 points (2 goals and 7 assists) in 7 games. Harvey was later named the MVP of the tournament.

Megan Keller was lost for words following her historic goal

Megan Keller etched her name in history books following her overtime winner in the gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Following the victory, the 29-year-old was left lost for words.

Megan Keller
Megan Keller (Image via X/@usahockey)

While speaking to the media, the Boston Fleet star claimed it was an “incredible” feeling to win and lauded her teammates.

I’m lost for words. This is an incredible feeling. I love these girls so much. This group deserves it. Just the effort and the faith that we kept through this four-year journey is something very special.

Megan Keller said as per Associated Press

Keller also jokingly claimed that she had no idea whether she had scored an overtime winner before in her career.

I don’t know if I’ve scored an OT winner in my life. ’ll cherish this one for a while, but I’m just so proud of our team.

Megan Keller told the media

The attention now turns towards the men’s event. Just like the women’s event, Canada has dominated the men’s event.

On Friday, the two nations will be in action in the semi-finals. While Canada takes on Finland, the U.S. will face Slovakia. The winners of these two semi-final matches will play in the gold medal game on the final day of the Olympics.

If Canada and the U.S. win their game, they will face each other in the gold medal match for the 8th time. Last year, the two teams faced off in the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship game. In this, Canada emerged as the winner through an overtime winner from Connor McDavid in front of a packed crowd in Boston and broke American hearts.

Also Read: