MILAN — Switzerland forward Alina Müller is speechless.
Müller said she’s ‘still at a loss of words’ after scoring a game-winning overtime goal against Sweden Thursday, Feb. 19 to clinch a bronze medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, the nation’s first since the 2014 Sochi Games.
Switzerland’s 2-1 win over Sweden came during a sudden-death, 10-minute overtime period, continuing a theme at the Milano Cortina Games after three men’s quarterfinal matchups went to extra time on Wednesday.
Overtime is played 3-on-3, as opposed to 5-on-5, and the bronze-medal game was less than a minute away from going to a decisive shootout. But then Muller found the back of the net with 51 seconds remaining.
‘I was tired and my legs were heavy. I saw a little open and hoped that Ivana (Wey) saw me and she did,’ Muller said. ‘She made an unbelievable pass and I just got rid of it as fast as I can.’
As for what happened next? ‘I blacked out.’
‘It means everything. This team, this staff, everybody fought so hard for this moment,’ Muller added. ‘Seeing all my friends coming at me, jumping, with tears in their eyes. That is a feeling you can’t repeat.’
Sweden’s Mira Jungaker opened the scoring in the second period at the 31:40 mark, but Switzerland’s Sinja Leemann responded minutes later to get her team on the board at the 35:40 mark. Each team had opportunities to break the tie in regulation — Switzerland had a penalty shot and two power plays, while Sweden had a late power-play chance in the closing minutes of the third period — but neither was able to capitalize.
Jungaker said the Swedish team ‘fought so hard,’ but didn’t turn in a complete game when it mattered most.
“It wasn’t good enough and we didn’t play hockey for 60 minutes,’ Jungaker said. ‘It was only 20 minutes that we were good, so it’s very disappointing that we couldn’t finish it off in a good way.”
USA TODAY Sports is in Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics and provided live coverage of the bronze medal match.
What time is the Olympic women’s hockey gold-medal game?
Team USA faces arch rival Canada in the gold-medal game of the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics at 1:10 p.m. ET (7:10 p.m. local). You can follow all the action here.
Sweden vs. Switzerland goes to overtime
The sides were tied at 1-1 at the end of regulation.
Sweden on power play
Sweden has its first power play of the night. Switzerland’s Marie Lena was called for a cross-checking penalty at the 57:33 mark. Switzerland killed off the power play in the final minute of regulation time to keep the nation’s podium hopes alive.
Sweden called for interference
Sweden’s Anna Kjellbin is skating toward the penalty box after being called for interference, setting up Switzerland’s second power play of the night.
End of 2nd period: Sweden 1, Switzerland 1
We are all tied up after the second period. Sweden opened scoring at the 31:40 mark, but Switzerland responded minutes later to get on the board at the 35:40 mark. Sweden outshot Switzerland 18-12 through two periods, but the Swiss women are probably kicking themselves over missed opportunities. They weren’t able to convert a penalty shot or power play earlier in the bronze-medal game.
Switzerland evens it up
We’re even in the bronze-medal match following a goal from Switzerland’s Sinja Leemann. Alina Marti took the puck behind the net and connected with Leemann, who tapped it in past Sweden goalkeeper Ebba Svensson Traff to tie it up, 1-1.
Sweden’s Mira Jungaker scores
Sweden is on the score sheet first. Mira Jungaker opened scoring in the bronze-medal game to give Sweden a 1-0 lead over Switzerland. Hilda Svensson and Thea Johansson assisted on the goal.
Switzerland’s penalty shot blocked
Sweden goalkeeper Ebba Svensson Traff is rolling. Switzerland’s Ivana Wey was awarded a penalty shot after Sweden’s Thea Johansson was called for hooking on a breakaway at the 26:21 mark. However, Wey wasn’t able to capitalize on the penalty shot and Svensson Traff swiftly blocked the puck. Svensson Traff is up to 10 saves.
End of 1st period: Sweden 0, Switzerland 0
We are scoreless after one period. Sweden outshot Switzerland 8-5 in the frame and killed off a Swiss power play. Sweden goalkeeper Ebba Svensson Traff has been solid in front of the net and withstood several close-range shots during Switzerland’s power play to keep the Swiss off the board.
Switzerland on power play
Switzerland has the first power play of the night. Sweden’s Anna Kjellbin was called for cross-checking with 4:11 remaining in the first period. Can Switzerland capitalize?
We’re underway
The bronze-medal game is officially underway. Sweden has been the more aggressive team to start and has a slight edge with four shots on goal, compared to three for Switzerland.
Goalkeeper matchup
Sweden will have Ebba Svensson Traff in the net for Thursday’s bronze-medal game, while Switzerland is turning to Andrea Braendli.
Stream the 2026 Winter Olympics on Peacock
What time is the Olympic women’s hockey bronze medal game?
The bronze medal game between Switzerland and Sweden begins at 8:40 a.m. ET (2:40 p.m. in Milan.
What TV channel is the Olympic women’s hockey bronze medal game on?
USA Network will have tape-delayed coverage of the game between Switzerland and Sweden beginning at 12 p.m. ET.
Is there a live stream of the Olympic women’s bronze medal game?
You can live stream the game between Switzerland and Sweden on Peacock, which will have live coverage at 8:40 a.m. ET.
Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at @CydHenderson.
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