Sports

USA routs Switzerland, stays unbeaten in women’s hockey

MILAN — The U.S. women’s hockey team is undefeated heading into Tuesday’s showdown with archrival Canada after defeating Switzerland 5-0 on Monday, Feb. 9 in the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The Americans got goals from Haley Winn, Joy Dunne, Hannah Bilka, Alex Carpenter and Caroline Harvey to improve to 3-0 in the tournament, outscoring opponents 15-1. Ten different players have scored through the three matchups, highlighting the U.S. national team’s depth.

‘I think the second we got off the plane here, we had the confidence of knowing that we’re a great team and regardless of what it takes, we’re here to win,’ said forward Taylor Heise, who finished with an assist on Monday. ‘Whatever it’s going to take every single play, our team’s willing to do that. … I know every single person in the locker room is willing to sacrifice for the right and the left and that’s what makes a great team.’

Gwyneth Philips got the start in net as the USA rested Aerin Frankel. Philips said she came to Milan with ‘little expectations’ of seeing the ice, but kept herself prepared just in case the moment came.

It happened on Monday and Philips made the most of her opportunity. She made 20 saves, including several tough ones when the score was close. Ava McNaughton finished up with about two minutes left to get some Olympic action.

USA captain Hilary Knight had two assists to move one point behind U.S. Olympic record holder Jenny Potter (32). She remains tied atop the career goal list at 14, but her attention is on Tuesday’s showdown with Canada.

‘It’s about getting off our legs and recovering and prepping for tomorrow,’ Knight said.

Heise added that the team is focusing on getting some rest beforehand.

She said, ‘We’re sleeping girls, we got to get our beauty sleep and get some good food. We eat pasta, focaccia and pizza here all the time so I think we’re going to carb load it up tonight and kind of see what we can bring for tomorrow.’

USA TODAY Sports is in Milan and provided live updates from the USA vs. Switzerland game. Here are highlights:

When is USA vs Canada game?

The USA and Canada will meet on Tuesday, Feb. 10 (2:10 p.m. ET, USA Network) at Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.

Canada star Marie-Philip Poulin was injured against Czechia and her status for the USA game isn’t known.

The USA is 3-0 and Canada is 2-0 after defeating Czechia 5-1 on Monday. Canada will also play on Feb. 12 after its scheduled opening game with Finland was postponed by a norovirus outbreak on the Finnish team.

Final score: USA 5, Switzerland 0

The USA pulls away with three third-period goals to remain undefeated at the Olympics.

USA makes goalie change

Ava McNaughton comes in to get some Olympic action. She gets big cheers when making a glove save and completes the shutout.

2 minutes left

5-0 USA.

USA goal: Caroline Harvey scores

Harvey has been dangerous all night and she scores her first goal of the Olympics. She also has two assists in the game. USA 5, Switzerland 0

USA goal: Alex Carpenter scores

Carpenter is on fire! She scored her third goal in as many Olympic games in the third period to extend the Americans lead to 4-0 over the Swiss. Unlike her first two goals vs. Czechia and Finland, Carpenter’s score didn’t happen on a power play. She scored on a breakaway at even strength. Hilary Knight and Joy Dunne were credited with the assist. Knight improves to 31 career Olympic points with the assist. She’s now one point away from tying Jenny Potter’s all-time U.S. career points record, which stands at 32 points.

USA goal is overturned

Less than two minutes after the Hannah Bilka goal, Hayley Scamurra scored to open the floodgates. But Switzerland challenged for goalie interference and the referees deemed it a successful challenge and wiped the goal off the board.

USA goal: Hannah Bilka scores

The U.S. women killed off the Swiss power play and got right back on offense. Hannah Bilka scored at the 41:17 mark to give the Americans a 3-0 lead over the Swiss. Taylor Heise and Caroline Harvey were credited with the assist. USA 3, Switzerland 0

Third period underway

2-0 USA, which is short-handed to start the period. But the American kill off the rest of the penalty.

Canada vs Czechia score

Canada leads 5-0 in the second period. Julia Gosling has scored Canada’s last two goals.

End of second period: USA 2, Switzerland 0

The first 40 minutes are officially in the books. The U.S. has dominated the first two periods, outshooting Switzerland 37-15, and has a 2-0 lead. Switzerland hasn’t been able to capitalize with an extra player on the ice and have not scored in 3:24 minutes of power play time.  The Swiss will open the third period on a power play after Abbey Murphy was called for an illegal hit. Can they score to stay close to the Americans?

Switzerland power play

Abbey Murphy is called for an illegal hit.

USA goal: Joy Dunne adds to lead

The Americans are feeling lots of joy after Joy Dunne scored an unassisted goal at 14:08 of the second period to extend their lead over Switzerland. Dunne puts the puck out front and it goes in off a Swiss player’s skate. It marks Dunne’s second goal of the 2026 Winter Olympics. USA 2, Switzerland 0

USA power play

Lena Marie Lutz is called for an illegal hit. Body contact is allowed in Olympics women’s hockey only if there is an attempt to get the puck. The USA gets three shots but Andrea Braendli stops them and Switzerland kills the penalty.

Energy level high inside arena

The energy is high at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. After the first period, the in-house DJ played “Imagine” by John Lennon during the intermission period and the spectators belted out the lyrics together. Some held up their cell phone lights and joined arms with their neighbors as they swayed back and forth. ‘Imagine’ has become the unofficial song of the Olympic Games with its message of world peace.

Second period underway

1-0 USA.

Women’s hockey scores

Host Italy beat Japan 3-2 and Germany beat France 2-1 in overtime in Monday’s earlier game. Canada and Czechia started at 3 p.m. ET. Canada leads that game 2-0.

End of first period: USA 1, Switzerland 0

The Americans’ opening goal came at the 6:04 mark from Haley Winn, the first goal of her Olympic career. Switzerland almost scored an equalizer during its first power play of the night, but goalie Gwyneth Philips made a nice save and the Americans were able to successfully kill off the power play to keep a lead. The Americans are outshooting Switzerland 18-6 through the first period. Switzerland had only six shots in its recent loss to Canada.

Switzerland power play

Rory Guilday is called for tripping. Goalie Gwyneth Philips is tested immediately but makes a great glove save on Rahel Enzler. USA kills off the penalty.

USA goal: Haley Winn opens scoring

It didn’t take long for the U.S. women to get on the board against Switzerland. Haley Winn found the back of the net to get the Americans an early advantage. Caroline Harvey and Hilary Knight were both credited with an assist. Knight is now up to 30 career points in the Olympics and is only two points away from tying Jenny Potter (32) as the all-time U.S. Olympic points leader. USA 1, Switzerland 0

Chance for USA’s Taylor Heise

Switzerland’s Andrea Braendli makes a glove save on Taylor Heise’s breakaway.

Early USA-Switzerland action

Shots are 2-2. Switzerland had only six shots in its last game against Canada.

Game underway

USA’s Gwyneth Philips vs. Switzerland’s Andrea Braendli in net.

Where to watch U.S. women’s hockey vs Switzerland today

TV channel: USA Network
Streaming options: NBCOlympics.com | NBC Olympic App | Peacock

USA Network will broadcast Monday’s U.S. women’s hockey Group B matchup against Switzerland at the Milano Cortina Olympics. Streaming options for the game include NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Olympic App (with a TV login).

You can also stream the game on Peacock, NBC’s subscription streaming service.

What time is U.S. women’s hockey vs Switzerland today?

Date: Monday, Feb. 9
Time: 2:40 p.m. ET
Location: Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena (Milan)

Puck drop between the U.S. women’s hockey team and Switzerland is set for 2:40 p.m. ET on Monday, Feb. 9 from Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan.

Gwyneth Philips is starting U.S. goalie

Gwyneth Philips will get her first start of the tournament. Aerin Frankel, who started the first two games, isn’t dressed and Ava McNaughton is backing up.

U.S. women’s hockey team lines

USA all-time record vs. Switzerland

The USA has won all three previous meetings by a combined tally of 23-0. The Americans won 8-0 in their last meeting in Beijing in 2022.

U.S. women’s first game at Santagiulia arena

The U.S. women’s hockey team is playing its first game at Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena after playing two games at Rho Ice Hockey Arena.

There had been concerns about the arena, where construction had been behind schedule, but the U.S. men’s team practiced there on Sunday and gave a thumb’s up.

‘It looks good,’ said Auston Matthews, shortly before he was officially named men’s team captaincy. ‘I can’t imagine having to put together something like this with a limited amount of time, and I thought they did a pretty good job. The setup’s good, the rink looks good. The ice is solid. It’s never going to be perfect, but it’s cool. I think it looks pretty good.’

U.S. women’s hockey roster for 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics

Here is the full U.S. women’s hockey roster for the Milano Cortina Olympics:

Goaltenders: Ava McNaughton; Aerin Frankel; Gwyneth Philips.
Defenders: Lee Stecklein; Cayla Barnes; Caroline Harvey; Megan Keller; Rory Guilday; Haley Winn; Laila Edwards.
Forwards: Kirsten Simms; Kelly Pannek; Grace Zumwinkle; Hayley Scamurra; Britta Curl-Salemme; Hilary Knight; Tessa Janecke; Hannah Bilka; Joy Dunne; Alex Carpenter; Kendall Coyne Schofield; Taylor Heise; Abbey Murphy.

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