As the puck drops for the women’s hockey knockout stages in Milan, Team USA looks less like a contender and more like an unstoppable force of nature.

The American women have been nothing short of clinical, punctuated by a historic 5-0 dismantling of Canada — the first time in Olympic history the Canadians have been held scoreless. This dominant run, defined by a staggering 20-1 goal differential through the group stage, has firmly established the U.S. as the heavy gold-medal favorite, fueled by a roster that has found its peak rhythm at exactly the right moment.

Now, the team faces the hosts, Italy, who won two games and lost two in the group stage. The U.S. has to face the home crowd to take a step closer to gold.

STREAM: Watch USA take on Italy live via Peacock

The stakes for this showdown against Italy go far beyond the immediate scoreboard, as this squad carries the weight of a decade-long hunger to reclaim the top step of the podium for the first time since 2018. The charge is being led by a masterclass in both veteran poise and youthful speed: legendary captain Hilary Knight recently tied the all-time U.S. Olympic points record, while rising stars Abbey Murphy, Caroline Harvey, and Laila Edwards have relentlessly haunted opposing defenses. Between the pipes, Aerin Frankel has been a literal brick wall, entering the quarterfinals on the strength of two shutouts.

While a resilient Italian side will have the home crowd behind them, the Americans look poised to reassert their global dominance and bring the gold back to U.S. soil. 

Follow along for updates as the favorites look to take a step closer to the podium.

MORE 2026 OLYMPICS: Live medal tracker | Viewer’s guide | Day-by-day schedule

USA vs. Italy hockey score

  1 2 3 OT F
USA  — — — — 0
Italy — — — — 0

USA vs. Italy live updates, highlights from 2026 Olympic men’s hockey game

3:24 p.m.: The Italians have a breakaway attempt, with Justine Reyes stealing the puck in the neutral zone but gets her attempt poked away by Philips.

While the Italians have had few chances, both were high-danger chances.

3:22 p.m.: We’re at the first commercial break, which comes just over eight minutes into the game. The score is still 0-0.

The U.S. is outshooting Italy 10-1, but Durante has made every save. While most of the play has been in the Italian zone, the team in blue can’t break the deadlock.

Italy’s one shot came on the 2-on-1, which was staved away by Philips.

3:20 p.m.: The Italians kill the power play, with Durante making three saves. 

We’re five minutes in with the score 0-0.

3:18 p.m.: Team USA has gotten some shots on the man advantage, one by Murphy and one by Taylor Heise, but both were saved by Durante. 

There’s 50 seconds remaining, and Durante makes another save.

3:16 p.m.: We have our first penalty of the game, with Italian captain Nadi Mattivi going to the box for an illegal open-ice hit.

It sends the Americans and their lethal power play unit onto the ice for the first time today.

3:14 p.m.: Now, the Italians get their first shot, with Kristin Della Rovere ripping a shot at Philips, but she saves it with the glove.

At the other end, Kirsten Sims gets a shot that’s saved by Durante. This game has been high pace so far.

3:12 p.m.: 20 seconds in, Team USA has the first chance, with a shot then rebound being saved by the Italian goaltender Gabriella Durante.

3:11 p.m.: The puck has dropped and we are officially underway in Milan.

3:05 p.m.: Puck drop is minutes away.

The United States enters the knockout stage as the top overall seed after a perfect 4-0-0-0 preliminary run, punctuated by a massive 5-0 shutout of rival Canada. Having outscored opponents 20-1 and riding a streak of over 211 consecutive minutes without allowing a goal, the Americans look like an unstoppable freight train on a mission to reclaim the gold they lost four years ago.

For the host nation, Italy, simply being here is a victory. This is their first Olympic appearance in two decades and the first time in their history they have ever advanced past the preliminary round. Led by veteran defender Laura Fortino and rising star Matilde Fantin, the Italians have charmed the home crowd with gritty wins over France and Japan. While they face a staggering talent gap—with prediction markets giving them just a 1% chance of an upset— the “Azzurre” are playing with house money, fueled by the energy of the Milano Rho arena and the pride of proving they belong on the world stage.

Let’s see how today’s game unfolds.

2:48 p.m.: We have a goaltending change for Team USA, with Gwyneth Philips getting the nod tonight.

Philips starts over Aerin Frankel, who had two shutouts in the group stage, including against Canada.

2:30 p.m.: The starting lines are out for Team USA, who roll with pretty much the same group from the dominating win against Canada.

The eyes are on No. 21, Hilary Knight, who can break the all-time points and goals record for the U.S. today.

2:13 p.m.: The U.S. enters today’s game as a HEAVY favorite.

Though, fans of the team will be happy with a win in any shape or form.

1:50 p.m.: With puck drop approaching, Team USA is looking to up the intensity, knowing today could be their final game.

1:19 p.m.: It’s do-or-die time for Team USA, who enters the quarterfinals as the top seed. Today’s opponent is the Olympic hosts, Italy.

This will be the first time the teams have ever met in the Olympics.

A few storylines to watch include the U.S. dominance in the group stage and whether it transfers over, stars like Abbey Murphy and Caroline Harvey coming off a three-point performance, and of course, Hilary Knight being a goal away from the all-time U.S. Olympic record.

How to watch USA vs. Italy

USA vs. Italy start time

  • Date: Feb. 13
  • Time: 3:10 p.m. ET

The United States starts the knockout stage on Friday, Feb. 13 at 3:10 p.m. ET from the Milano Santagiulia IHO arena.

This is the teams’ first ever meeting in the Olympics.

What channel is USA vs. Italy on?

  • TV channel: USA Network (U.S.), CBC (Canada)
  • Live stream: Peacock (U.S.), CBC Gem (Canada)

The USA vs. Italy quarterfinal matchup will be broadcast nationally on USA Network in the United States and on CBC in Canada. Fans can also catch the game live on Peacock (U.S.) and CBC Gem (Canada).

MORE: Where Marie-Philip Poulin, Hilary Knight rank for most Olympic goals ever

Olympic women’s hockey schedule 2026

Here’s a look at the remaining schedule and results for the Olympic women’s hockey tournament in Milan.

Monday, Feb. 9

Group Matchup Time (ET)
Group B Italy 3, Japan 2 6:10 a.m.
Group B Germany 2, France 1 10:40 a.m.
Group A United States 5, Switzerland 0 11:40 a.m.
Group A Canada 5, Czechia 1 12:10 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 10

Group Matchup Time (ET)
Group B Sweden 4, Japan 0 6:10 a.m.
Group B Germany 2, Italy 1 10:40 a.m.
Group A United States 5, Canada 0 2:10 p.m.
Group A Finland 3, Switzerland 1 3:10 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 12

Round Matchup Time (ET)
Group A Canada 5, Finland 0 2:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 13

Round Matchup Time (ET)
Quarterfinals Czechia vs. Sweden 10:40 a.m.
Quarterfinals United States vs. Italy 3:10 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 14

Round Matchup Time (ET)
Quarterfinals Canada vs. Germany 10:40 a.m.
Quarterfinals Finland vs. Switzerland 3:10 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 16

Round Matchup Time (ET)
Semifinals TBD vs. TBD 10:40 a.m.
Semifinals TBD vs. TBD 3:10 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 19

Round Matchup Time (ET)
Bronze Medal TBD vs. TBD 8:40 a.m.
Gold Medal TBD vs. TBD 3:10 p.m.
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