On Monday, February 9, the U.S. and Switzerland faced off for both teams’ third match of the 2026 Winter Olympics tournament. Heading into this match, Switzerland had one win and one loss, while the United States had yet to drop a game.
Related: Guide to the 2026 Winter Olympics Women’s Hockey Tournament
Early in the first period of this match, the USA scored first. After 40 minutes they were two goals ahead. In the final frame, the US extended its lead with three more goals, a 5-0 shutout against Switzerland.
USA had a complete team effort
Team USA scored five goals in this match, each by a different goal scorer. Seven different players put their names on the score sheet.
Haley Winn opened the scoring in just six minutes, earning her first Olympic goal. None other than Hilary Knight recorded the secondary assist on this goal, while Caroline Harvey recorded the primary.
It took almost a full 30 minutes, but the US extended its lead thanks to a goal from Joy Dunne. This was an unassisted goal and her second of the tournament.
Just a minute into the third period, Hanna Bilka tripled the U.S. lead with assists from Taylor Heise and Harvey. This goal was Bilka’s first of the tournament, making her the second player in this match to score her first Olympic goal.
Just five minutes after Bilka’s goal, Alex Carpenter scored, with assists from Knight and Dunne. A minute and eight seconds later, Harvey scored with assists from Carpenter and Dunne.
Knight is still looking for her 15th Olympic goal to break the record for most goals in the women’s ice hockey tournament, but her two assists in this match are still nothing to ignore. Carpenter posted a multi-point game thanks to a goal and an assist, and both Harvey and Dunne had a three-point game with a goal and two assists each.
Both premier goal scorers, Bilka and Winn, are making their Olympic debuts at the 2026 Olympic Games. Although it took three games for them to score, their attacking prowess shines through and shows why they were great selections for this year’s U.S. team.
Second shutout for the US
The US has not lost a game in the 2026 Olympic Games ice hockey tournament, and has now recorded its second straight shutout. In net for the USA in their first shutout was Aerin Frankel. That was the case in this game Gwyneth Phillips. However, she was taken out of the net with just 1:48 left on the clock, and Ava McNaughton came into the crease. Philips still stopped 20 of Switzerland’s 21 shots, while McNaughton stopped the last. It was Philips who did that was credited with the shutout even though she didn’t finish the game.
This is Philips’ first time representing her home country at the Olympic Games and her first Olympic appearance. To say this was a strong performance for her is an understatement.
Although Philips is an American-born goaltender, she currently plays in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) for the Ottawa Charge. This is her first season as Ottawa’s starting goaltender, as she played in tandem alongside Canadian goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer. Last season, Philips recorded two shutouts, but she has yet to record her first this season. With her performance in this Olympic tournament match, this shutout win should boost Phillips’ confidence as she returns to the PWHL.
Switzerland was outplayed
As in the last of the US’s two matches, they defeated their opponent. However, this was the closest with shots: the US made 50 shots while Switzerland made 21 shots; they were the biggest opponent in recording half of the recordings in the US.
Ultimately, the US defeated Switzerland. They had the stronger control of the puck and took advantage of their scoring opportunities the most, as evidenced by the score. They got pucks deep and commanded the ice, ultimately leading to their current undefeated status.
Both teams will be back in action on Tuesday
Both the US and Switzerland play again on Tuesday, February 10. The US will take on Canada at 2:10 PM ET. Switzerland will take on Finland at 3:10 PM ET. This is the last match of both teams in the qualifying round.
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