February 19, 2026, Milan, Lombardy, Italy: Goalkeeper Aerin Frankel 31 of Team United States saves a goal against Team Canada in the Gold Medal Game at the Milano Santagiulia Ice hockey, Eishockey Arena in MILAN, Italy during the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. Milan Italy - ZUMAa161 20260219_oly_a161_086 Copyright: xWalterxG.xArcex
February 19, 2026, Milan, Lombardy, Italy: Goalkeeper Aerin Frankel 31 of Team United States saves a goal against Team Canada in the Gold Medal Game at the Milano Santagiulia Ice hockey, Eishockey Arena in MILAN, Italy during the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. Milan Italy - ZUMAa161 20260219_oly_a161_086 Copyright: xWalterxG.xArcex
Team USA may have played hockey on ice, but Aerin Frankel brought the heat that was needed to win the Gold.
The 26-year-old Chappaqua native was the cornerstone as Team USA defeated Canada 2-1 on February 19, to claim win gold in the Winter Olympics 2026 in Milan.
With that, Frankel became the first goaltender in Olympic women’s hockey history to record three shutouts in a single tournament. An X post by Just Women’s Sports highlighted Frankel's achievement mentioning, “Team USA women's hockey goalie Aerin Frankel saw 99 shots on goal and only let 2 in."
After saving 30 shots in the match vs. Canada, Frankel finished her Olympic run with 97/99 saves. While talking about the victory Frankel mentioned that the talented team she had by her side made her job easy.
“We have such an incredible team. I’m just glad that we were able to get the result that we worked for”, she said. “It’s so easy to go to the rink and put the work in because everyone beside you is doing the same thing, and we’re just having so much fun”.
While the Women’s Hockey team broke several records and won their 3rd Olympic Gold, they also contributed to their country achieving an even bigger feat.
Team USA Hits All-Time Best in Terms of Gold Medals in a Single Winter Olympic
Team USA may not be leading the Milan Winter Olympics in terms of medals, but the team set a record this season by winning 11 gold medals, the most Team USA had ever won in a single Winter Olympics edition. The women athletes were key forces behind this, who fought against age, physical or emotional limitations.
Elana Meyers Taylor, 41, made history as the oldest woman to ever win an individual gold medal in the Winter Games. She’s now the most decorated African-American Winter Olympian with six medals across 5 games. Her victory marked the USA’s first gold medal in the monobob event.
Gold medallist Mikaela Shiffrin battled with self-doubt and grief about her father’s passing when she competed in the Slalom event. Despite the previous loss at the giant slalom, this 30-year-old alpine skier ended her 8-year medal drought in Milan.
Figure Skater Alysa Lu and downhill skier Breezy Johnson are other notable names who contributed to the history-making. The Hockey team’s victory was the ultimate garnishing.
Moving forward, which athlete would you call the most iconic? Let us know in the comments.
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Written by
Deblina Roy
Edited by
Souvik Roy