On Feb. 9, 2026 in Milan, the U.S. women’s hockey team registered a 5-0 victory over Switzerland, marking its third straight win at the Milan Cortina Games. Young players and goaltending anchored the performance as the Americans improved their tournament goal differential to 15-1 through three games. Coach John Wroblewski praised the group’s depth and singled out defender Caroline Harvey’s pace, while immediately turning focus to a high-stakes meeting with Canada next. The result reinforced the U.S. position near the top of Group play as knockout-round scenarios begin to take shape.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. beat Switzerland 5-0 on Feb. 9, 2026 in Milan; the Americans have outscored opponents 15-1 across their first three games.
- Caroline Harvey and Joy Dunne—two of seven college players on the roster—each recorded a goal and two assists in the win.
- Gwyneth Philips stopped 20 shots in her Olympic debut and shared the shutout with Ava McNaughton, who faced one shot in the final 1:48.
- Hilary Knight added two assists to bring her Olympic career point total to 31, one shy of Jenny Potter’s U.S. record.
- Switzerland fell to 1-2; Swiss goalie Andrea Brändli made 45 saves overall and was a key reason the score remained modest.
- Canada, the defending Olympic champion, had a 5-1 win over Czechia but may be without Marie-Philip Poulin after she limped off Saturday; her status for Tuesday was unclear.
- In Group B, Italy beat Japan 3-2 and Germany edged France 2-1 in OT; Italy and Germany joined Sweden in clinching quarterfinal spots.
Background
The Olympic women’s hockey tournament at Milan Cortina features a condensed group stage where early wins can determine knockout seeding and momentum. The U.S. entered the Games with a mix of veteran leaders and a contingent of collegiate players tasked with injecting speed and transition offense. Canada remains the defending Olympic champion and a perennial rival; matchups between the two nations often carry heightened intensity and tactical adjustments from both benches.
Switzerland arrived in Milan with defensive structure but limited scoring depth; its tournament started with a 4-0 loss to Canada before facing the United States. Italy, as host, has prioritized program growth and leveraged home-ice energy to reach the quarterfinals for the first time in its Olympic history. Germany and France both entered the tournament aiming to advance from Group B, with Germany ultimately prevailing in overtime to move on.
Main Event
The U.S. dominated possession and generated sustained pressure throughout the game, finally converting early in the first period when Caroline Harvey drove the left boards and set up Haley Winn for a 6:04 opening goal. The Americans closed the contest with three goals in the first 7:42 of the third period to put the result beyond doubt. Alex Carpenter and Hannah Bilka also scored, joining Harvey and Winn on the scoresheet.
Gwyneth Philips, the 2nd-year PWHL Ottawa Charge goaltender, made several timely saves to keep Switzerland from capitalizing on the few counterattacks it generated. Philips finished with 20 saves; Brändli’s 45-save effort for Switzerland limited the margin and drew repeated praise despite the loss. Ava McNaughton entered late and faced one shot, preserving the shutout with Philips.
Coach John Wroblewski highlighted the impact of younger contributors and praised Harvey’s aggressive decisions from the point. He also acknowledged the looming Canada matchup and the unpredictability that comes with facing the defending champions. Swiss coach Colin Muller said his team showed more offensive courage than in its prior outing and emphasized continued incremental improvement despite the defeat.
Analysis & Implications
The U.S. performance underlines a broader trend of blending veteran leadership with collegiate talent to create depth through four lines and multiple special-teams options. Harvey and Dunne providing multi-point games signals scoring versatility beyond established stars, which matters in a short Olympic tournament where single-game outcomes can swing standings and bracket matchups.
Goaltending balance is another positive sign for the Americans. Philips’ composed debut and McNaughton’s readiness to step in protect the shutout suggest the U.S. is not solely reliant on a single starter, giving coach Wroblewski flexibility for rest and matchup planning. That depth in net could be decisive against teams like Canada that emphasize high-quality scoring chances.
For Switzerland, Brändli’s 45 saves highlight both strong individual performance and the defensive strain of facing top-tier offensive pressure repeatedly. The Swiss path forward requires translating defensive resilience into more sustained offensive possessions to relieve their goalies and improve scoring outcomes. Italy’s and Germany’s advances show how home support and tight defensive play can elevate programs traditionally outside medal contention.
Comparison & Data
| Team | Games | Goals For | Goals Against |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 3 | 15 | 1 |
| Switzerland | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| Italy | 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Germany | 3 | 4 | 4 |
The table above shows early tournament scoring differentials through the first three games for select teams. The U.S. goal differential (+14) is the strongest indicator of form, but single-elimination brackets mean seeding and day-to-day health (notably injuries) may eclipse group-stage margins as the tournament progresses.
Reactions & Quotes
“Yeah, I heard about that. It’s a shame,” said U.S. coach John Wroblewski reacting to Marie-Philip Poulin leaving Canada’s game injured, noting the uncertainty heading into the U.S.-Canada matchup.
John Wroblewski — U.S. head coach
“Switzerland’s goalie was awesome. She had some kind of force field going back there,” Wroblewski said, acknowledging Andrea Brändli’s 45-save performance kept the score from ballooning.
John Wroblewski — U.S. head coach
“I’m ecstatic. I’m so happy with Ava. She’s one heck of a goalie and she deserves to be here and get some ice time,” Gwyneth Philips said after sharing the shutout.
Gwyneth Philips — U.S. goaltender
Unconfirmed
- Marie-Philip Poulin’s lower-body ailment status for the U.S.-Canada game was not confirmed by Canada’s coach as of Feb. 9, 2026; her availability remains uncertain.
- There was no official timeline released for any potential roster or line changes for Canada ahead of the upcoming matchup; final decisions were pending team medical evaluations.
Bottom Line
The U.S. victory over Switzerland showcased depth, youth impact and reliable goaltending—three attributes that strengthen its medal prospects at Milan Cortina. While the team’s goal differential and balanced scoring are encouraging, single-elimination rounds and the Canada rivalry will be the true tests of championship mettle.
Canada’s uncertain lineup status and the physical toll of tournament play mean the upcoming U.S.-Canada game could hinge on availability and in-game adjustments. For spectators and analysts, the critical questions now are how Wroblewski deploys his depth against Canada and whether the Americans can convert group-stage momentum into knockout-stage resilience.