MILAN (AP) — Kelly Pannek couldn’t stop laughing, watching on TV when all heck broke loose during the U.S.-Canada game at the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off a year ago.
Three fights breaking out in the opening seconds led the U.S. national women’s team forward to reflect on how intense the border hockey rivalry has always been.
“Oh, I was cracking up,” Pannek said. “It was so funny, because you’re like, ‘Yep, welcome, world, to what this looks like.‘”
Though the men’s side has had its moments, the tensions and animosity — and level of respect — have been far more evident in the women’s game in what stands as one of the fiercest feuds in all of sports.
So get ready for the next installment Tuesday when defending Olympic champion Canada faces off against the United States in the preliminary round of the Milan Cortina Games.
“It’s gold or bust,” U.S. forward Kendall Coyne Schofield said. “That’s the stake. That’s the bar that we’ve set as a program. Anything less than a gold medal is a failure.”
The same holds true up north.
“There’s so much pride that comes with representing Team Canada that I don’t think you fully understand until you’re wearing that jersey on the bench and you’re ready to go,” Canadian forward Blayre Turnbull said.
“Especially against Team USA, our biggest rivals. So it’s,” Turnbull said, before a long pause, “it’s fun.”
Fun is one way of putting it.
Fights have broken out on various occasions. Many tears have been shed — joyous ones for the winners and heartbreak for the losers. It’s a feud that took off when the U.S. beat Canada to win gold at the 1998 Nagano Games, the first to feature women’s hockey.
Over that span, the nations have met a combined 48 times on the international stage, including world championship competition. Canada holds the edge with five Olympic and 13 world titles, to the Americans' two and 11.
A better indication of how tight the series has been is Canada’s 25-23 record, and having outscored the Americans by a combined margin of 135-133.
Uncertainty suddenly hovers over the game with Canadian captain Marie-Philip Poulin's status in question after she limped off the ice and did not return for the final two periods of a 5-1 win over Czechia. Coach Troy Ryan had no immediate update on Poulin's injury, and wasn't sure if she would be available to play Tuesday.
The Americans enter as tournament favorites. They’re the defending world champions after beating Canada 4-3 in overtime in April. And the U.S. has won six straight meetings, including a four-game sweep in the nations’ exhibition Rivalry Series in November and December.
Though series results aren’t generally an indicator of how the two global powers fare once a gold medal is on the line, the results raised eyebrows over a potential shift in power favoring the Americans.
The U.S. outscored Canada 24-7, including a 10-4 win which marked the most goals the Canadian women have ever allowed in international play.
The U.S. features a skilled and speedy team with a veteran leadership core, led by captain Hilary Knight, and collection of talented youth, with seven players still in college.
Canada’s roster is more experienced, returning 16 players from the team that dominated the 2022 Beijing Games by winning all seven games and outscoring its opposition 57-10.
The Canadians are fine with not being favored.
“I don’t think there’s anything bad about being an underdog and proving yourself,” forward Natalie Spooner said.
“I don’t think we’re thinking too much about those Rivalry Series and the outcome,” she added. “But I do think, obviously, when it comes down to a gold medal you’re going to play with a chip on your shoulder either way.”
The Americans are not buying into the hype.
“Honestly, it’s not something our team talks about,” defender Megan Keller said. “The goal for us is to bring home a gold medal, and it doesn’t matter who’s in our way.”
One twist this year is the U.S.-Canada matchup not being the preliminary round-closing game for both teams, as has traditionally happened in past international play.
The U.S., which is 3-0 after beating Switzerland on Monday, will complete its four-game schedule against Canada.
The Canadians are a game behind after their tournament opener against Finland was postponed after the Finns roster was depleted by a stomach virus. Canada opened with a 4-0 win over Switzerland and its game against Finland is set for Thursday, a day before the quarterfinals open.
No big deal, Canadian defender Renata Fast said.
“The Olympics is all about just going with the flow, adjusting to things,” Fast said.
“There’s always hiccups here and there. And I think the team that’s willing to be adaptable to changes, has success,” she added. “Every game’s important. And that U.S. game is always circled on our calendar. But we’ll take it day by day.”
AP Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno contributed.
AP Winter Olympic: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics
Canada's players celebrate after a preliminary round match of women's ice hockey between Switzerland and Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
United States' players celebrate their sides first goal during a preliminary round match of women's ice hockey between United States and Czechia at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
United States' Joy Dunne, right, celebrates after scoring her sides second goal during a preliminary round match of women's ice hockey between United States and Czechia at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
MILAN (AP) — After raving about his young players, goaltending and defender Caroline Harvey’s driving speed in a 5-0 win over Switzerland on Monday, U.S. coach John Wroblewski was quickly reminded of the next challenge ahead for his women’s hockey team at the Milan Cortina Games.
Canada is up next. And with or without Marie-Philip Poulin — Canada's "Captain Clutch — Wroblewski understands his team is in for a handful on Tuesday.
“Yeah, I heard about that. It’s a shame,” Wroblewski said of Poulin limping off the ice and missing the final two periods of Canada’s 5-1 win over Czechia.
Canada coach Troy Ryan said he didn’t have full details of Poulin’s apparent lower-body injury. He said it was too early to say whether she could play Tuesday.
“The interesting thing about looking forward to Canada is that every time we play them, it’s got a different life, a different culture," Wroblewski said. "And so we’ll what we get tomorrow night.”
The U.S. might be favored in the tournament, but the Canadians are the defending Olympic champions.
The Americans continued finding new contributors in winning their first three games by a combined score of 15-1. It was the youngsters’ time to shine against Switzerland.
Harvey and Joy Dunne, two of seven U.S. players still in college, each had a goal and two assists.
Gwyneth Philips stopped 20 shots in her Olympic debut, and shared the shutout with Ava McNaughton, The 21-year-old McNaughton stopped one shot after being inserted with 1:48 left. Alex Carpenter, Hannah Bilka and Haley Winn also scored in an outing the Americans closed with three goals in the first 7:42 of the third period.
Captain Hilary Knight had two assists to increase her Olympic career point total to 31 — one short of matching the U.S. record set by Jenny Potter.
If not for Swiss goalie Andrea Braendli stopping 35 of the first 37 shots she faced, and 45 overall, the game could well have been an early rout.
“Switzerland’s goalie was awesome. She had some kind of force field going back there, I don’t know what,” Wroblewski said. “I think we just needed take a deep breath.”
Switzerland dropped to 1-2 and was shut out for the second straight outing following a 4-0 loss to Canada on Saturday.
“It takes it’s toll after a while, they just keep on coming at you,” Swiss coach Colin Muller said. “I thought we did a great job defensively and better offensively today. We had more courage than we had last game. It’s great to see. Every game we get better. If it ended up 3-1, I would’ve been happy.”
Though Switzerland tested the Americans early, Philips stood firm.
The second-year PWHL Ottawa Charge goalie kicked out her left skate just in time to stop a shot from Ivana Wey in the opening minute. Some 12 1/2 minutes in, Philips got her glove up to foil Rahel Enzler, who was set up on the doorstep.
Philips said the early action helped settle her nerves. And she was more than happy to share the shutout.
“I’m ecstatic. I’m so happy with Ava,” Philips said. “She’s one heck of a goalie and she deserves to be here and get some ice time.”
Then it was Harvey’s turn to take over. The offensive-minded defender drove up the left boards and sent a pass into the middle for Winn to redirect for the opening goal 6:04 in. Harvey capped the scoring by driving in from the left point and beating Braendli by jamming in the puck on the short side.
“It was a great game. Super fired up for the girls,” Harvey said, deflecting the credit. “Just driving my feet. Teammates were getting open and they were making stuff happen and it was a lot of fun with the girls tonight.”
After having limited playing time at the 2022 Beijing Games, the Wisconsin senior has been spurred by Wroblewski to use her speed and playmaking abilities.
“The amount of times that she drove was insane. I loved the initiatives that she takes,” the coach said. “I hope it keeps rolling, not only for her, but for her teammates.”
After Poulin exited, her team responded with a rush of goals.
Canada was leading 1-0 on Kristin O’Neill’s goal when Poulin left the game after being rocked by an illegal hit from Kristyna Kaltounkova. Poulin then seemed to be keeping weight off her right leg as she left the ice seconds into her next shift.
The Canadians scored twice in a minute soon after, with goals by Laura Stacey and Sarah Fillier prompting the Czechs to pull starting goalie Julie Pejsova for Michaela Hesova. Canada moved to 2-0 for the tournament but was denied a second shutout when Natalie Mlynkova scored for the Czechs.
Host nation Italy secured a place in the quarterfinals of the Olympic women’s hockey tournament for the first time by beating Japan 3-2 on Monday.
Germany followed by claiming its spot in the next round with a 2-1 overtime win over France.
Both Italy and Germany improved to 2-1 and joined Sweden (3-0) in completing the three Group B nations to clinch a quarterfinal berth. Japan and France were eliminated from contention.
Italy advanced in just its second Olympic appearance, both as the host, after going 0-4 at the 2006 Turin Games and finishing last among the eight-team field.
“I think this is everybody’s dream coming true,” Italy’s Canada-born goalie Gabriella Durante said. “Hopefully this just grows hockey in Italia that much more for little girls all over the country.”
Matilde Fantin scored twice, and Kristen Della Rovere's third period goal stood up as the game winner.
Katarina Jobst-Smith scored for Germany 1:17 into overtime by snapping in a shot from the high slot just inside the left post. Laura Kluge also scored and Sandra Abstreiter stopped 13 shots.
Estelle Duvin forced OT by scoring 8:21 into the third period, and Alice Philbert stopped 44 shots. France finished 0-4 in its Olympic debut, and was outscored by a combined margin of 13-4.
AP Sports Writer James Ellingworth contributed to this report.
AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics
Canada's Sarah Fillier (10) reacts after scoring a goal in the first period against Czechia during a preliminary round match of women's ice hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Canada's Marie-Philip Poulin (29) is down on the ice in the first period against Czechia during a preliminary round match of women's ice hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
United States' Joy Dunne, right, celebrates after scoring her side's second goal during a preliminary round match of women's ice hockey between Switzerland and United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
United States' Haley Winn, left, scores her side's opening goal during a preliminary round match of women's ice hockey between Switzerland and United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Switzerland's Andrea Brandli makes a save against United States' Caroline Harvey during a preliminary round match of women's ice hockey between the United States and Switzerland at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
France's Estelle Duvin, bottom, scores her side's opening goal during a preliminary round match of women's ice hockey between Germany and France at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Germany's Katarina Jobst-Smith (28) celebrates scoring the winning goal with Germany's Lilli Welcke (23) in overtime against France during a preliminary round match of women's ice hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Japan's Akane Shiga scores her side's second goal during a preliminary round match of women's ice hockey between Japan and Italy at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Italy's goalkeeper Gabriella Durante fails to save the puck as Japan's Akane Shiga scores her side's second goal during a preliminary round match of women's ice hockey between Japan and Italy at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Italy players celebrate end of a preliminary round match of women's ice hockey between Japan and Italy at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
