MILAN, Italy – Megan Keller lifted a backhand over the right pad of Ann-Renee Desbiens 4:07 into overtime and Team USA defeated Canada 2-1 to win the gold medal in the 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Thursday. The victory marked another milestone for two Minnesota State Maverick alumni, coaching on the international stage.
 
Shari Dickerman, in her second season as head coach of Minnesota State women's hockey, returned for her fourth season on Team USA's staff as assistant coach. Former goaltender Alli Altmann graduated from Minnesota State in 2012 and spent the 2023-24 season as a Maverick assistant coach. She is Team USA's goaltending coach. Both are the first Mavericks to win gold medals in the Olympics.
 
Kristin O'Neill scored a shorthanded breakaway goal for Team Canada for a 1-0 lead. Then, United States captain Hilary Knight tipped in the tying goal with 2:04 remaining in the third period with the net empty, sending the game into 3-on-3 overtime. Taylor Heise sprung Keller for the goal with a long stretch pass from behind the goal line and Keller beat a defender before taking the winning shot.
 
Other Mavericks to win Olympic medals include Nina Tikkinen (Finland, Bronze, Women's Hockey, 2010) and David Backes (USA, Silver, Men's Hockey, 2010).
 
Dickerman has been part of the Mavericks' program since 2009 and has helped Team USA capture two golds (2023, 2025) and a silver (2024) at the IIHF Women's World Championships. Altmann, who set the Mavericks' record for most games played (110) and posted a career .888 save percentage.
 
Thursday marked the third gold medal win for Team USA over Team Canada in the Olympics. Knight set an Olympic record for most career goals (15).