Women’s Ice Hockey: USA and Canada enter Rivalry Series ahead of Milano Cortina 2026
Explore the fierce rivalry between the USA and Canada in women’s ice hockey as they prepare for the finale of the 2024/25 Rivalry Series.
Ice Hockey
Imagine a sports showdown so charged that it’s the Yankees playing only the Red Sox or Barcelona meeting Real Madrid week after week.
In women’s ice hockey, that’s the USA vs. Canada Rivalry Series.
These two powerhouses have clashed repeatedly on the world’s biggest stages, going head-to-head in nearly every IIHF Women’s World Championship and Olympic final since the sport’s inception.
Now, as the fifth annual Rivalry Series unfolds, the stakes are higher than ever on the road to the Olympic Games Milano Cortina 2026.
With three games behind them, Canada leads the series 2-1, but both teams are gearing up to dominate as they head into a February finale that could set the tone for the year ahead.
The pre-Olympic season begins with everything on the (goal) line.
About the Rivalry Series
Introduced by USA Hockey and Hockey Canada in the 2018-19 season, the Rivalry Series pits the best of the U.S. and Canadian women’s national teams against each other in an annual clash, allowing fans to enjoy the best action the sport has to offer. It is also a chance for the two teams to size each other up each year.
The rivalry between the USA and Canada dates back to 1990, when the two teams first met at the inaugural official global competition for women.
Since then, they’ve clashed in every major global final except one, when Finland briefly disrupted Canada’s streak in 2019. This storied rivalry includes six of the seven Olympic gold medal games and an astonishing 22 of the 23 IIHF Women’s World Championship finals.
Canada currently holds the edge, leading the all-time record with 105 wins to the U.S.'s 79, including some overtime thrillers that are now part of hockey lore.
This fifth edition of the Rivalry Series spans five games, three in the USA and two in Canada, setting the stage for Milano Cortina less than 500 days away.
What’s happened so far in the Rivalry Series?
Team USA opened the 2024/25 Rivalry Series with a commanding 7-2 win in San Jose, California, showing incredible speed and puck control that had the Americans leading from the start.
Canada, however, bounced back in Game 2 in Salt Lake City, home of one of their Olympic golds against Team USA, with a nail-biting 5-4 shootout win, mainly thanks to the scoring finesse of Olympic champion Laura Stacey and the standout goaltending of Chloe Primerano.
Game 3 saw Canada’s Jocelyne Larocque lead with a quick opening goal, followed by strong contributions from Sarah Nurse and Kristin O’Neill. The U.S., outshooting Canada, struggled to finish their chances, and despite NCAA points leader Laila Edwards’ power-play goal, Canada answered back quickly with an Emily Clark score to seal a 4-1 victory.
With Canada now up 2-1, momentum appears to be tilting northward, but with two games still left to play, Team USA has the chance to even the score and potentially turn the tide.
Looking ahead
Both teams will have a chance to regroup over the next few months before meeting for the two final games on Canadian soil, set for 6 and 8 February.
The U.S. will be looking to dig deep for a win on Canada’s turf, while Canada will be looking to solidify their lead and carry that momentum into 2026 when they hope to defend their Olympic title in Milano Cortina.
As the countdown to the Olympic Winter Games begins, the Rivalry Series offers fans a sneak peek at what is likely to be one of the sport’s defining clashes in 2026.