MILAN -- In Hilary Knight's last Olympics, she came up clutch yet again.
Veteran defenseman Megan Keller scored the golden goal in 3-on-3 overtime Thursday as the United States women's hockey team won Olympic gold by beating archrival Canada 2-1.
That moment wouldn't have been possible without Knight, who deflected a shot from defenseman Laila Edwards for the game-tying goal with 2:04 remaining in the third period to give life to Team USA.
The U.S. had allowed only one goal all tournament before Canada fourth-liner Kristen O'Neill scored short-handed early in the second period of Thursday's finale.
It marked the final Olympic game for 36-year-old Knight, who with her second gold medal became the most decorated player in U.S. women's hockey history. She announced last May that these Games -- her fifth -- would be her last.
"She's the leader of our group, the heartbeat," Keller said. "We don't get here without her. I can't say enough great things about her, and to cap off her Olympic career in this fashion, just so happy for her."
Knight's third-period tally moved her into sole possession atop the U.S. record book -- men's or women's -- for most Olympic goals (15) and points (33). She had a memorable Olympics, proposing to her partner, U.S. speedskater Brittany Bowe, two days before the gold medal match.
The U.S. roster featured a strong blend of veterans and breakout young players, and the 2026 Games represented a passing of the torch. Wisconsin seniors Caroline Harvey and Edwards, who had a combined 18 points and were the top two U.S. skaters in terms of ice time, are among the U.S. team members who have photos from their childhood posing with Knight.
The United States gave up only two goals in the tournament, tying the 2006 and 2010 Canada teams for the fewest allowed in a single Olympics by a women's team.
U.S. goalie Aerin Frankel made 30 saves, some spectacular, but didn't get the offensive support as Team USA continually missed opportunities in regulation until Knight capitalized.
For long stretches in the gold medal match, Team USA looked more jittery than it had in any previous moment at these Olympics. Previously, the team had scored at least five goals in every game and had outscored teams 31-1.
The win cemented a dominant tournament for the American women.
"I've been on some great teams, with a lot of great teammates, great players, Hall of Famers," four-time Olympian Kendall Coyne Schofield told ESPN ahead of the game. "But this one is special for sure."
The U.S. was the deepest team in the Olympic tournament. Ten players registered at least five points -- six more than any other country.
The rest of the world just hasn't caught up to the United States and Canada. The North American powers have won every gold and silver medal since women's hockey was introduced at the Olympics in 1998.
The result in Milan wasn't too surprising after Team USA swept the four-game Rivalry Series in the lead up-to the Olympics by a combined score of 24-7. The U.S. entered the final by posting five straight shutouts -- including a 5-0 blanking of Canada in group stage play. The Canadians, however, were without captain Marie-Philip Poulin (right knee injury) for that contest, and she appeared to be still nursing the injury, especially as broadcast cameras captured her getting rides from the locker room to the ice in the semifinal.
Poulin had scored in each of her previous four career Olympic gold medal games but was held off the score sheet Thursday.
