2026 Olympic Games: Canada trails U.S. 4-0 in women's hockey

Canada claims ag in unawares caterpillar track mixed team up relay at Milano Cortina 2026

Canada collects their short track mixed team relay silver medals

Canadian short track team discuss winning Olympic silver in mixed relay

Canadians Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier sit in 3rd place following the rhythm dance

Team Canada captain Marie-Philip Poulin injured during Canada's win over Czechia

France's Cizeron and ex-Canadian skater Fournier Beaudry lead after rhythm dance

Canada's Megan Oldham captures freeski slopestyle bronze at Milano Cortina 2026

The Canadians just killed yet another penalty drawn by Murphy.

It’s the fifth penalty Canada has taken today — four if you subtract the one for Canada’s unsuccessful challenge on the last goal. That was a major issue at the Rivalry Series, where the U.S. Swept Canada over four games this season.

Canada hasn’t been able to generate anything meaningful at even strength. But staying out of the box would certainly help.

The second period is underway and the U.S. Is now up 3-0 on a power-play goal from Kirsten Simms.

The goal was reviewed to determine whether it crossed the line. It did, but then the Canadians challenged for goaltender interference.

Because the challenge was unsuccessful, Canada must now serve a minor penalty for delay of game. Another big moment for Canada.

Gogolev told our colleague Devin Heroux he didn't notice the loose lace until he was halfway through his program. 

"And then he told me he thought, 'this isn't good,'" Heroux said. 

As Gogolev came off the ice, someone on his coaching team could be heard telling the skater, "You make me scared with that."

Gogolev, who's competing in his first Olympics at these games, managed to deliver a strong performance nonetheless. 

Canada's Stephen Gogolev qualifies for the men's free program at Milano Cortina 2026

Gogolev qualifies for the men's free program with undone laces

Some skating news during the hockey intermission: Canada's Stephen Gogolev scored 87.41 in the figure skating men's short program a short time ago, which was enough to land him in first place after his skate. 

Gogolev managed to get through his program despite having an issue with his laces, which could be seen dangling dangerously close to the ice for much of his skate. 

There are still at least a dozen skaters to go however, so whether his score will be enough to medal remains to be seen. 

At the intermission, we heard Olympic gold medallist Cassie Campbell-Pascall talking about something you hear a lot about when the Canadians play the U.S.: the embellishment — i.e., feigning a fall or a reaction — we often see from Murphy.

Campbell-Pascall described it as "atrocious" from a player who looks on course to be one of the best in the game, and called on the officials to start calling it out.

"It's got to be stopped and the only way it's going to be stopped is if they make the call," she said.

Murphy is, undoubtedly, incredibly skilled. When I spoke to her coach at the University of Minnesota earlier this season, he compared her game to Alex Ovechkin's. But she can also be really annoying to play against.

From the International Ice Hockey Federation rulebook: "Any Player who 'blatantly dives,' 'embellishes' a fall or a reaction, or who 'feigns an injury' shall be penalized with a minor penalty under this rule."

On Bilka’s goal, you see the Canadian coverage draw to Abbey Murphy, an incredibly dangerous shooter. That leaves Bilka open to make magic in front of the net.

Murphy is incredibly skilled — you might have seen this insane, highlight-reel assist for her University of Minnesota team earlier this season. In this case, she gets the puck off her stick quickly with that behind-the-back pass, and it’s an open lane for Bilka.

Murphy is another player who you will see starring in the PWHL very soon.

There are still two periods to play. But Canada wasn't producing many Grade A chances in that period.

Another reminder: Canada makes the quarterfinals regardless of who wins this game.

The U.S. Is now up 2-0 after a goal from Hannah Bilka. The goal came on a beautiful behind-the-back pass from Abbey Murphy, after Canadian coverage of Bilka broke down.

The Americans are outshooting the Canadians 10-4 in the first period.

Fields said she's a big fan of the PWHL and goes to Toronto Sceptres games regularly. She said seeing a women’s hockey game at the Olympics almost brings a tear to her eyes.  

"I played hockey when I was younger. It was in the '80s so it was when there were not really girls' teams," she said. 

"So when the PWHL came about, it just brought up feelings … memories, and thinking that this couldn't happen for me. But seeing these ladies just rock it and do an awesome job just feels so good."

Canada was able to hold the U.S. Power play at bay for the Canadians' first penalty kill of the game.

The Americans went into the power play three for 10 on the player advantage in these Olympics. But we saw the damage the U.S. Power play can do during the Rivalry Series. 

The score remains 1-0 to the U.S. Halfway through the first.

Poulin isn’t dressed today, but her rivalry with Knight has a long history. Both made their Olympic debuts in 2010. Poulin has dominated at the Olympics, while Knight holds records at the world championships.

Hopefully, we’ll get to see them play against each other later in the tournament. This will be Knight’s final Olympics.

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