Canada suffers country's most lopsided loss in Olympic women's hockey history
It was not the type of outing that Canada’s women were hoping for in their Olympic matchup against the United States.
The reigning Olympic champion Canadians were without captain Marie-Philip Poulin in Tuesday’s much-anticipated game, but it may not have mattered. Canada was dominated by the Americans for just about the full 60 minutes, getting blown out 5-0 en route to the country’s most lopsided loss in Olympic history.
This was just the fourth loss for Canada since women’s hockey was introduced as an Olympic event back in 1998. The previous mark for the worst Canadian loss was a 7-4 preliminary round blowout to the USA back in Nagano 1998.
For the first time in over 25 years, it felt like Canada’s women weren’t even close to competing with the Americans.
Game over. Back at it on Thursday. 🇨🇦🇺🇸
Match fini. On reprend l’action jeudi. 🇨🇦🇺🇸
📊 https://t.co/2Ezhgqmuyc
📊 https://t.co/U5bLrkO4Ix#MilanoCortina2026 pic.twitter.com/6ZMjRul5fw— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) February 10, 2026
Both of Canada’s two other Olympic losses came in gold medal games against the Americans in 1998 (3-2) and 2018 (3-2).
Just about everything went wrong for Canada to start this game. The USA quickly jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period, and then added two more in the second to put this one out of reach. A third-period goal against rubbed salt into the wound.
There was little resistance from the Canadians, who were outshot 33-20 and didn’t generate many dangerous looks in the lopsided loss.
The Americans got goals from Caroline Harvey, Hannah Bilka, Kirsten Simms, and Laila Edwards, while goaltender Aerin Frankel picked up the shutout. Canadian netminder Renee Desbiens ended the game allowing five goals on 33 shots.
Canada will have to kick things up a notch if they hope to defend their Olympic title. Though the loss is not ideal, the Canadian women will hopefully have a shot at redemption when the playoff round comes around.
They will look to shake off the loss when they hit the ice against Finland on Thursday.