Along with Canada, Team USA is one of just two countries that have won gold in women's ice hockey since the event was added to the Olympics in 1998. The Americans won that inaugural year in Nagano, then endured four straight Canadian victories until 2018, when Team USA struck back with a dramatic overtime win to capture gold in Pyeongchang.

The 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics continued on Thursday with ice hockey, curling, snowboarding and more. See a recap of all the action.

Who are the favorites and underdogs heading into the men's and women's 2026 Olympic ice hockey tournaments?

While most of the international hockey superpowers will be competing in Italy for the 2026 Olympics, there will be one notable absence. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) upheld sanctions that prevent Russia from participating in team events, like ice hockey, at the Olympics.

MILAN (AP) — All the worries, strife and scrutiny that lingered around the construction of the main hockey arena for the Milan Cortina Olympics dissipated as the first game there into a celebration for the host country.

Here's what to know about Thursday's slate of women's ice hockey games at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, including how to watch information.