The Americans overcame a late deficit to secure the victory in a tense matchup at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Canada opened the scoring on a shorthanded goal early in the second period, breaking a nearly four-hour streak of shutout hockey by the U.S. team in the knockout stage.

Late in the third, the U.S. killed off a Canadian power play and pulled their goalie with 2:30 remaining. Captain Hilary Knight tied the game with a deflected shot, sending it to overtime. Four minutes and seven seconds into the extra period, Megan Keller scored the game-winning goal, securing the gold medal for Team USA.

The U.S. finished the Olympics undefeated, with both of Canada’s losses coming against the Americans. Knight’s goal also made her America’s all-time leading goalscorer and points leader. She recently announced her engagement to speedskater Brittany Bowe.

The rivalry between the two nations remains dominant in women’s hockey. Seven of the eight Olympic gold-medal games have been contested between the U.S. and Canada, with the Americans winning three. Internationally, the teams have faced off in the gold-medal game at 23 of 24 IIHF Women’s World Championships and 21 of 23 4 Nations Cups since 1987.

Canada earned bronze in 2019 when the U.S. defeated Finland, the only recent exception to the two nations meeting in international finals. Thursday’s victory keeps the U.S. streak of playing for gold intact, while Canada continues its record of finishing only with gold or silver at the Olympics.