Canada is set to face the United States in the final of the women's hockey tournament at the Milan Cortina Games, seeking to defend its Olympic gold medal. The Canadians enter the match as underdogs, having been outscored significantly in the tournament thus far, while the U.S. boasts a formidable record, including a dominant 31-1 scoring advantage leading up to the final. Canada’s path to the championship has been more challenging, highlighted by a heavy 5-0 defeat to the U.S. in the preliminary rounds, contrasted with their nail-biting 2-1 victory over Switzerland in the semifinals.

A key player for Canada, captain Marie-Philip Poulin, has demonstrated remarkable resilience despite a knee injury that sidelined her during two critical matches, including their loss to the U.S. Poulin's performance in the semifinal was instrumental, where she scored twice and set a new Olympic goals record with her 20th goal. As Canada faces the U.S. for what will be the clash between storied rivals, they hope to break a seven-game losing streak against their opponents, a run that includes a previous gold medal loss in 2025.

The stakes are incredibly high as the teams clash for the prized Olympic gold medal. Canada's desire to reclaim glory against their historic rivals underscores the intense rivalry and the pressure both teams experience on this international stage. With the U.S. having dominated recent matchups, the upcoming game provides Canada with an opportunity to prove their mettle and form a new narrative in their ongoing competition with the Americans.