The biggest rivalry in women’s hockey resumes on Tuesday, Feb. 10, when the USA and Canada meet in a preliminary round game at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
And as it often does, the game has major meaning.
The 3-0 USA has nine points and the 2-0 Canadians have six points. If the USA wins in its final game in group play, it clinches the top seed in Group A. Canada also wins the group if it wins in regulation. If rhe Canadians win in overtime, Canada’s rescheduled game against Finland on Feb. 12 would come into play.
Canada and the USA have met in the gold medal game six of the seven times since women’s hockey was introduced to the Olympics in 1998. Canada has won four times, including rallying from a 2-0 deficit in 2014 with less than five minutes left to win in overtime. A U.S. clearing attempt toward the empty net hit the post before Canada tied the game.
The Canadians are 7-2 overall vs. the USA at the Olympics with the Americans winning gold medals in 1998 and 2018.
But the USA entered this year’s Olympics as a favorite after winning the last world championships and sweeping the Rivalry Series.
Here’s a look at the Olympics history between the United States and Canada:
USA vs. Canada Olympic results
1998 gold medal game: 3-1 USA
2002 gold-medal game: 3-2 Canada
2010 gold-medal game: 2-0 Canada
2014 preliminary round: 3-2 Canada
2014 gold medal game: 3-2 Canada (OT)
2018 preliminary round: 2-1 Canada
2018 gold medal game: 3-2 USA (shootout)
2022 preliminary round: 4-2 Canada
2022 gold-medal game: 3-2 Canada
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