Megan Keller scored in overtime to clinch Winter Olympic gold for the United States in a dramatic 2-1 win over great rivals Canada.
It marks a third Olympic title for the US women’s team and their first since the 2018 Games in Pyeongchang.
Kristin O’Neill had given the Canadians the lead in the second period at Milan’s Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, ending the US’s 352-minute streak without conceding a goal since their opening win over the Czech Republic.
With little more than two minutes left on the clock, US captain Hilary Knight scored her 15th career Olympic goal on her final appearance to force a sudden-death overtime – the third time the women’s Olympic final has required it in four Games.
Four minutes in to the three-on-three period, Keller skilfully drew her opponent out of position before firing past Canadian goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens, sparking wild celebrations as her team-mates poured on to the ice.
“I’m lost for words. This is an incredible feeling. I love these girls so much,” Keller said.
“This group deserves it. Just the effort and the faith that we kept through this four-year journey is something very special.”
Barring the 2006 Games in Turin, when Canada defeated Sweden, the two north American nations have contested every Olympic final since women’s ice hockey was added to the programme in 1998.
Canada are five-time champions but had suffered a chastening 5-0 defeat by the Americans in the group stages, their worst defeat at an Olympics in 28 years.
The US, meanwhile, have been in imperious form from the start, with O’Neill’s goal only the second they had conceded all Games.
Earlier on Thursday, Switzerland beat Sweden 2-1 to win the bronze medal.
The men’s ice hockey final will be contested on Sunday, with Canada facing Finland and the US taking on Slovakia in Friday’s semi-finals.
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