Knight Ties U.S. Olympic Goal Record as Americans Dominate Finland 5-0 in Ice Hockey Opener

Hilary Knight made history at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Saturday, scoring her 14th career Olympic goal to tie the U.S. women's ice hockey record in a commanding 5-0 victory over Finland. The 36-year-old captain matched the mark previously held by Natalie Darwitz and Katie King, cementing her legacy in her fifth and final Olympic appearance. With U.S. Vice President JD Vance watching from the stands with his family, Knight delivered a performance that showcased why she remains one of the sport's most dominant forces.

The Americans faced a Finland team that had spent much of the week battling a stomach virus that swept through their roster, limiting their preparation and energy levels. Team USA took full advantage, controlling possession and outshooting their opponents throughout the contest. Knight's record-tying goal came in the second period, triggering roars from the pro-American crowd and emotional celebrations on the bench. The milestone caps a remarkable Olympic career for Knight, who has announced this tournament will be her last Winter Games.

Beyond Knight's historic achievement, the U.S. depth chart proved formidable with contributions across all four lines. The Americans showcased the offensive firepower that makes them gold medal favorites, converting on multiple scoring chances while playing disciplined defensive hockey. Goaltender Nicole Hensley earned the shutout, making key saves to preserve the clean sheet and give the U.S. momentum heading into the next round of group play.

The victory maintains Team USA's unbeaten start to the tournament and sends a clear message to rivals Canada and the rest of the field. Knight's pursuit of breaking the all-time Olympic goal record adds another compelling storyline to the tournament, with every American game now carrying extra significance. Her leadership both on and off the ice has been instrumental in building the program's sustained excellence over nearly two decades.

Finland, despite the challenging circumstances with the illness affecting their squad, showed resilience and competed hard throughout the match. However, the gap in talent and preparation was evident, particularly against a U.S. team that has been building toward this moment for years. The Finns will need to regroup quickly as they face additional group stage matches in the coming days.

As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Knight to see if she can surpass the record she now shares and add another Olympic gold medal to her collection. With the Americans firing on all cylinders and Knight playing at an elite level despite being in her late thirties, Team USA has established itself as the team to beat in Milan-Cortina. The blend of veteran leadership and emerging talent makes this squad exceptionally dangerous as they chase their first gold medal since 2018.