The long-awaited Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics Women’s Ice Hockey Tournament has begun, and the USA Women’s Team came stampeding out the gate with a bullish demeanor setting the tone of the first contest on the world stage.
Alex Carpenter logged the first goal on a powerplay that was a superb tip, assisted by Megan Keller, giving USA the upper hand early in the 1st period. The goal was the ultimate confident booster seeing the smiles, fist bumps, and hugs from Kellers’s teammates going down the line.
The 2nd period was the deciding period once Joy Dunn and Hayley Scamurra scored within 83 seconds of each other, both goals assisted on two perfect reads by Tessa Janecke. Joy Dunn took full advantage on a perfectly positioned screen and made it look easy considering this goal was the first of her career in the Olympics.
Shortly after, CZE Barbora Jurickova scored the only goal for Czechia, and then USA Veteran & Captain, Hilary Knight answered back and blew past a defender along the boards on the right side and buried her first goal of the contest as well. Knight’s goal is her 13th Olympic goal for Team USA, making this the fifth Olympic Season that she has scored a goal.
Hilary Knight is more excited to be competing and made it clear that she is very fortunate, and takes nothing for granted to still be able to play at a vastly high level in front of the world.
“It is an honor every time you represent your country on a world stage, but to be a part of the Olympic dream for so long has been a magical experience.”
- Team USA Captain, Hilary Knight
Team USA utilized the help set up her teammates, having four different players net a goal. Joy Dunn, Hannah Bilka, Laila Edwards, and Tessa Janecke all logged a point in their first Olympic appearance.
The Americans were dominant in every fashion, out shooting CZE 42-14, and going 2-3 on the powerplay. They will look to carry on their supreme style of play against Finland on Saturday, February 8th.
Dante Robinson | Senior PWHL Analyst for The NSR Network
