OTTAWA – The Ottawa REDBLACKS announced on Tuesday they have signed American offensive lineman Martez Ivey and National offensive lineman Gregor MacKellar.
Ivey saw action in all 18 games for the Edmonton Elks in 2025. For his career, Ivey has played 67 games over five seasons with the Elks (2022-25) and Toronto Argonauts (2021).
He earned West All-CFL honours in 2024 and was named the Elks nominee for Most Outstanding Lineman in 2023 and 2024. The former Florida Gator offensive lineman spent time in the NFL with the New England Patriots (2019) and Carolina Panthers (2021) and also spent time in the XFL with the Tampa Bay Vipers (2020).
MacKellar played all 18 games for the Edmonton Elks last season. The Timberlea, Nova Scotia native has played 61 games over his four seasons in the CFL with the Elks (2025) and Toronto Argonauts (2022-24), where he helped Toronto capture Grey Cup championships in 2022 and 2024.
The St. Francis Xavier University product was originally selected by the Argos in the first round, sixth overall in the 2022 CFL draft.
PRACTICE SQUAD TRANSACTIONS CONTRACTS EXPIRED NEW ENGLAND Grant, Richie DB Central Florida Harris, Darius LB Middle Tennessee Jaimes, Brenden G Nebraska Johnson, D’Ernest RB South Florida Johnson, Patrick LB Tulane Odukoya, Thomas TE Eastern Michigan Reynolds, Craig RB Kutztown Sherfield, Trent WR Vanderbilt SEATTLE Diggs, Quandre DB Texas Griffin, Shaquill DB Central Florida Jean-Charles, Shemar DB Appalachian State Lemieux, Shane G Oregon
WAIVER SYSTEM TRANSACTIONS WAIVER REQUEST (NO RECALL) ATLANTA Jones, Emory QB Cincinnati (1)* PS: STND
CLAIMING DEADLINE: 4:00 p.m., N.Y. Time, Wednesday, 2/18/26 TERMINATIONS OF VESTED VETERANS MIAMI Daniels, James G Iowa (8)* PS: VET Hill, Tyreek WR West Alabama (10)* PS: VET – Failed Physical Westbrook-Ikhine, Nick WR Indiana (6)* PS: VET *Indicates player’s accrued seasons at end of 2025 season.
ACTIVE LIST ADDITIONS FREE AGENT SIGNINGS NEW ENGLAND Crossley, Brandon DB Southern Methodist TENNESSEE Brown, Earnest DE Northwestern Hayes, Ryan T Michigan
Potawatomi Hotel & Casino will host the Major Series of Poker’s “Club Poker Championship” from Feb. 17–22, bringing one of the tour’s five marquee events — and its guaranteed $1 million Main Event prize pool — back to Milwaukee.
The tournament series is expected to draw hundreds of players to the Potawatomi Event Center, temporarily creating the largest poker room in the city. The schedule features multiple events throughout the week, capped by the seven‑figure Main Event.
Players may register on site each day during the series.
The Women’s Ice Hockey Tournament at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 will conclude on Thursday with 39 PWHL players competing for gold and six PWHL players in the bronze medal game.
THURSDAY’S FINAL PREVIEW
GOLD MEDAL GAME, 1:10 P.M. ET: UNITED STATES VS. CANADA
For the seventh time in Olympic women’s ice hockey history, the gold medal will be decided in a battle between Canada and the United States in another chapter showcasing one of the greatest rivalries in all of sport. The Americans are unbeaten with six wins in Italy, including a 5-0 victory over Canada during preliminary round play last Tuesday, and have won seven straight against their Canadian counterparts dating back to four Rivalry Series games and two matchups at the 2025 Women’s Worlds where the U.S. won gold. Canada holds the upper hand on the Olympic stage, winning five of the seven previous head-to-head gold medal finals. Canadian captain Marie-Philip Poulin of Montréal and American captain Hilary Knight of Seattle are both competing for their fifth Olympic medals and headline the list of 39 PWHL players going for gold. Toronto’s Daryl Watts leads all PWHL players in tournament scoring with eight points and fellow Canadian Sarah Fillier of New York is second on the team with six points. Torrent forward Hannah Bilka and Boston captain Megan Keller both have seven points each for a U.S. team that has scored five or more goals in every game thus far. The top two goaltenders of the 2025-26 PWHL season have continued to perform on the global stage, most notably Aerin Frankel of the Fleet who has posted four wins and a record three shutouts as the U.S. surrendered just one goal against in six games. Victoire netminder Ann-Renée Desbiens has won three of her four starts with one shutout and was between the pipes the last time Canada won Olympic gold in Beijing.
BRONZE MEDAL GAME, 8:40 A.M. ET: SWITZERLAND VS. SWEDE
The first and only other time that Sweden and Switzerland met with an Olympic bronze medal on the line was back in Sochi 2014 when a 15-year-old Alina Müller, now an alternate captain with Boston, scored the winning goal to lead the Swiss to a 4-3 victory, becoming the youngest player in women’s ice hockey history to win an Olympic medal. Müller has continued her ascent to stardom on the Olympic stage by scoring three of the team’s six goals in Italy, and, alongside New York defender Nicole Vallario, has led Switzerland back to the bronze medal game for the second straight Olympic tournament after losing by just one goal to Canada in the semifinals. The Swedes have not played for an Olympic medal since 2014, also finishing fourth in 2010 after claiming silver in 2006 and bronze in 2002, and have not medaled at the Women’s Worlds since taking home bronze in 2007. While it didn’t translate on the scoresheet, Sweden’s 23 shots on goal in the semifinals were the most conceded by the U.S. in the tournament to date. Toronto’s Sara Hjalmarsson has been an integral part of this team’s offense with five points in five games, with support from Montréal’s Lina Ljungblom with three points. Defenders Maja Nylén Persson of New York and captain Anna Kjellbin of the Sceptres have also chipped in with three and two assists, respectively. The most recent meeting between these two countries in major international competition came last April at the 2025 Women’s Worlds, with Switzerland skating to a 3-2 victory to secure a fifth-place finish.
TRIPLE GOLD CLUB
The PWHL’s version of the prestigious Triple Gold Club consists of players who have won an Olympic gold medal, a World Championship gold medal, and the Walter Cup.
Six players hold the distinction, including a trio of current Team USA members in Minnesota captain Kendall Coyne Schofield, alternate captains Kelly Pannek and Lee Stecklein, one member of Team Canada in Vancouver’s Claire Thompson, plus Frost goaltenders Nicole Hensley and Maddie Rooney.
The list will grow to nine if the U.S. win gold on Thursday, adding Minnesota forwards Britta Curl-Salemme, Taylor Heise and Grace Zumwinkle. A U.S. win would also give Coyne Schofield, Pannek and Stecklein the impressive Double Triple Gold distinction.
In men’s hockey, there are 30 members of the Triple Gold Club, which includes a Stanley Cup title, and only three can stake claim to Double Triple Gold.
RECORDS AND MILESTONES
Knight (1 Gold, 3 Silver) and Poulin (3 Gold, 1 Silver) will become just the third and fourth players in hockey history to earn a fifth Olympic medal, joining Jayna Hefford, PWHL Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations, and Hayley Wickenheiser, who each won four gold and one silver.
Poulin is the only player in Olympic hockey history to score in four gold medal games and score three gold medal-winning goals. In total, six of her record 20 career Olympic goals and eight of her 39 career points have been produced across four gold medal games. She will play in her 27th career Olympic game, surpassing both Hefford and Wickenheiser for the most all-time by a Canadian woman.
Knight will play in her 29th career Olympic game, tied for the most in Olympic women’s hockey history with Nicole Bullo of Switzerland and Michelle Karvinen (VAN) of Finland. Her 14 goals and 32 career Olympic points are both tied for U.S. records and includes two goals and one assist in her four previous gold medal games.
Desbiens is one win shy of tying the all-time Olympic record of 10 held by Finland’s Noora Räty.
Frankel is one win shy of tying the Olympic single tournament record of five set in 2022 by Desbiens.
Keller enters the game with 13 career Olympic points and needs just one to move into a tie for third in all-time scoring by a defender, a category led by Canadian Claire Thompson (VAN) with 17.
Alex Carpenter (SEA) of the U.S., and Canada’s Brianne Jenner (OTT) and Sarah Nurse (VAN) have each scored one goal and one assist in previous gold medal games, while Thompson, Jocelyne Larocque (OTT) and Blayre Turnbull (TOR) of Canada, and American Kelly Pannek (MIN) each have one assist.
Müller will play in her 26th career Olympic game, which will be tied for sixth all-time, while she is currently tied for seventh all-time with 28 career points (15G, 13A), and tied for fourth all-time in goals. She has a goal and an assist in two career bronze medal games.
Nylén Persson needs just one point and Hjalmarsson needs two to reach 10 for their Olympic careers which would rank fifth in Swedish women’s hockey history.
The Dutch Gaming Authority (Kansspelautoriteit, KSA) has issued enforcement action against prediction‑market operator Polymarket, finding that the platform illegally offered games of chance to players in the Netherlands.
KSA: Polymarket Ignored Warnings to Exit the Market
According to the regulator, Polymarket—operated by Adventure One—continued to make its platform accessible to Dutch users despite earlier directives to withdraw its offerings and stop accepting deposits from players in the Netherlands. The KSA said “no visible change has occurred”, prompting formal penalties.
While Polymarket maintains that its event‑based contracts do not constitute gambling, the KSA reiterated that prediction markets are considered illegal games of chance under Dutch law, and no operator—licensed or otherwise—is permitted to offer them.
Political Contracts Drove Local Popularity
The authority noted Polymarket’s rising profile, particularly its political markets. Contracts tied to the Dutch elections attracted significant attention from local users, further elevating regulatory concerns.
Penalty Structure
For failing to comply, the KSA imposed:
€420,000 per week in penalty payments,
Up to a maximum of €840,000, with the regulator adding that a turnover‑based fine may follow.
KSA: Prediction Markets Not Allowed in the Netherlands
Ella Seijsener, the KSA’s director of permits and supervision, emphasized that prediction markets—despite their rapid growth internationally—are prohibited in the Netherlands.
“In addition to the social dangers of this type of prediction, such as potential influence on elections, we find that this is illegal gambling. Those who do not have a license from the KSA have nothing to do with our market. The same goes for these novel gambling platforms.”
Leadership Update
Separately, the KSA announced the appointment of Carol Verheij as vice chair of its board of directors.
Tabcorp Holdings Limited has paid a $158,400 penalty after the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) found the operator illegally accepted online in‑play sports bets.
An ACMA investigation determined that Tabcorp took 426 in‑play wagers across 32 tennis matches between February 2024 and June 2025. Under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA), online in‑play betting—placing a wager after a sporting event has begun—is prohibited in Australia.
Tabcorp voided all affected bets and refunded customers. The company told the ACMA the breaches stemmed from systems and communication failures involving a third‑party provider.
ACMA member Carolyn Lidgerwood noted this marks Tabcorp’s third breach of in‑play betting rules since 2021.
“The law is clear and wagering services must have processes in place to prevent illegal in‑play bets from being accepted,” Ms Lidgerwood said. “Operators may rely on third‑party providers, but they cannot outsource their legal responsibilities. The length of time it took Tabcorp to identify and fix the issue was concerning, and we expect better going forward.”
Beyond the financial penalty, Tabcorp has entered into a comprehensive enforceable undertaking, requiring the company to review its systems and processes for closing betting on tennis events and to provide regular reports to the ACMA.
The regulator warned that any further non‑compliance could lead to Federal Court proceedings.
Jordyn Bugg, Maddie Dahlien and Claudia Dickey earn USWNT call-ups to participate in the annual SheBelieves Cup for the first time; Reign FC is one of three NWSL clubs with at least three players selected to the roster
RENTON, WASH.– Three Seattle Reign FC players have been named to the U.S. Women’s National Team roster for the 2026 SheBelieves Cup. Defender Jordyn Bugg, forward Maddie Dahlien and goalkeeper Claudia Dickey most recently represented the USWNT for a pair of friendlies during January camp, where Dahlien earned her first senior cap, and all three are now set to compete in the tournament for the first time.
Bugg, 19, has been a consistent call-up for the USWNT since her debut with the senior team in June 2025 and has since made six appearances. She was the only teenager called into January’s training camp and is one of two teenagers named to the SheBelieves Cup roster.
Following her first senior national team call-up in January, Dahlien has earned another opportunity with the USWNT. The second-year forward for the Reign played in both friendlies against Paraguay and Chile, entering the matches as a substitute to help the USWNT earn back-to-back shutout victories by a combined 11-0 margin.
Dickey, who earned her first call-up with the USWNT in January 2025 for training camp, enters the SheBelieves Cup with seven career caps, the most among the three goalkeepers named to the roster. The fifth-year goalkeeper for Seattle has recorded six clean sheets with the USWNT and now looks to make her tournament debut.
The 2026 SheBelieves Cup marks the 11th edition of the annual tournament and features expanded 26-player rosters for the first time. All three Reign FC players will look to help the USWNT reclaim the title after Japan defeated the United States in 2025 to snap the USWNT’s streak of five straight tournament titles.
LONG ISLAND MIDDLEWEIGHT CONTENDER JAHI TUCKER AIMS TO CLIMB WORLD RANKINGS IN STELLAR FASHION
Huntington, New York –Star Boxing is proud to announce that its critically acclaimed “Rockin’ Fights” series returns to The Paramount in Huntington, New York on Saturday, February 28, 2026, bringing another thrilling night of world-class professional boxing to Long Island’s premier fight venue.
Headlining the night’s action in a 10-round middleweight main event, New York’s rising contender Jahi Tucker (15-1-1, 6 KOs) makes his Paramount debut as he continues his climb up the rankings, facing Minnesota’s dangerous and battle-tested Sona Akale (10-4, 5 KOs) in a matchup that promises nonstop action from the opening bell.
Also featured on the card, Elmont’s undefeated knockout artist, U.S. Marine veteran, and Hofstra University master’s student Peter Latorre (5-0, 5 KOs) puts his perfect 100% KO ratio on the line in a 6-round welterweight showdown against Uruguay’s dangerous Jose Edgardo Perdomo (10-9-0, 6 KOs) of Montevideo. Perdomo is coming off a stunning knockout upset of a previously undefeated prospect at the Paramount and has proven he has the power to derail any rising star.
Adding to the night’s fireworks, Poland’s heavyweight powerhouse Piotr Lacz (14-0-1, 10 KOs) brings his unbeaten record and knockout reputation to The Paramount for an 8-round heavyweight clash against New Orleans’ hard-hitting challenger Dominique “Giant Killer”Valera (9-1-2, 5 KOs) in a collision of size, power, and momentum.
In a 4-round welterweight bout, Queens’ fan favorite David Malul (4-0, 2 KOs) returns to the ring looking to keep his undefeated run alive as he continues to build his name among New York’s most exciting emerging fan-favorite prospects.
Kicking off the action, Huntington’s own knockout artist Ralph Clemente (2-0, 2 KOs) returns to his hometown crowd in a 4-round bout, taking on Spanaway, Washington’s Thomas Turner (1-1) in what promises to be an explosive contest as Clemente looks to keep his perfect stoppage record intact.
With an exciting mix of undefeated prospects, international talent, and hard-nosed matchups, Rockin’ Fights once again delivers the type of action that has made the series a staple of the New York fight scene.
Star Boxing’s Rockin’ Fights 53 takes place Saturday, February 28, 2026 at The Paramount in Huntington, NY. Fight week details will be announced shortly.
Tickets for Rockin’ Fights 53 are available now at: StarBoxing.com, Ticketmaster.com or through The Paramount Box Office. Fans are encouraged to secure seats early — Rockin’ Fights events at The Paramount usually sells out in advance. Get choice seats before they are gone.
* Eight countries are set to take to the ice Tuesday during the Qualification Playoffs of the men’s hockey tournament at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, with a spot in the quarterfinals on the line.
* NHL teammates, now international rivals, will be on full display when Team Sweden and Team Latvia cap a four-game schedule as current Panthers, Penguins and Lightning players clash for a date against No. 2 seed Team USA.
* Team Sweden and Team Czechia look to join the likes of Team Canada, Team USA and Team Finland with six appearances in the quarterfinals during Olympic Games with NHL involvement.
* Milano Cortina 2026 is the third straight Olympic Winter Games featuring NHL players with a Qualification Playoffs round. Of the previous two tournaments, one team has advanced to the quarterfinals as the No. 10 seed or lower.
MEN’S HOCKEY TOURNAMENT SET FOR KNOCKOUT STAGE AT MILANO CORTINA
After 18 games and 122 goals during round robin play, eight countries are in action Tuesday during the Qualification Playoffs of the men’s hockey tournament at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 with a spot in the quarterfinals on the line: Team Germany vs. Team France; Team Switzerland vs. Team Italy; Team Czechia vs. Team Denmark; and Team Sweden vs. Team Latvia.
* Team Sweden and Team Czechia have qualified for the quarterfinals in each of their previous five Olympic Winter Games with NHL involvement. A sixth berth would tie Team Canada, Team Finland and Team USA – who have each already clinched a spot in that knockout round in Milan – for the most among all countries.
* Milano Cortina 2026 are the third consecutive Olympic Winter Games featuring NHL players to include a Qualification Playoffs, following 2014 and 2010. Only one team has advanced to the quarterfinals in that scenario after entering the round ranked 10 or lower: Latvia (No. 11; 2014 vs. SUI).
Qualification Playoffs Quick Hits
An overview of single-game highs during the Qualification Playoffs at Olympic Winter Games featuring NHL players:
Most goals
2 – Alexander Radulov (RUS, 2014)
– Lauris Darzins (LAT, 2014)
– Marian Hossa (SVK, 2014)
– Roman Cervenka (CZE, 2014)
– Jarome Iginla (CAN, 2010)
Most assists
3 – Pavel Datsyuk (RUS, 2014)
– Eric Staal (CAN, 2010)
Most points
3 – Alexander Radulov (RUS, 2014)
– Pavel Datsyuk (RUS, 2014)
– Eric Staal (CAN, 2010)
Most saves
47 – Edgars Masalskis (LAT, 2010)
41 – Andrei Mezin (BLR, 2010)
36 – Pat Grotnes (NOR, 2010)
32 – Edgars Masalskis (LAT, 2014)
TEAMMATES, NOW RIVALS: SWEDEN MEETS LATVIA IN WIN-OR-GO-HOME OUTING
Team Sweden finished atop the podium the last time the men’s hockey tournament at the Olympic Winter Games were held in Italy, capturing gold in Torino in 2006, and now have a date with Team Latvia to determine which country will go head-to head with No. 2 seed Team USA in the quarterfinals. Tuesday, the third-ever meeting between the two countries at Olympic Games featuring NHL players and first beyond the round robin (2014 RR & 2006 RR), features a handful of NHL teammates on opposing sides.
* ErikKarlsson (0-3—3) is one of three Swedish players who competed in the last head-to-head meeting between the two countries in Olympic Games featuring NHL players (also Gabriel Landeskog and OliverEkman-Larsson). The Penguins defenseman, with 4-7—11 in nine career Olympic outings, needs one assist to tie ChrisPronger (1-8—9 in 25 GP), MarekZidlicky (6-8—14 in 17 GP) and TomasKaberle (3-8—11 in 22 GP) for the third-most assists by a blueliner in Olympic tournaments with NHL participation. KimmoTimonen (3-10—13 in 30 GP) and fellow countryman NicklasLidstrom (4-10—14 in 20 GP) top the list.
* Lightning forward Zemgus Girgensons (0-4—4) suited up for Latvia during the 2014 Winter Olympics – a tournament that witnessed his country enter the Qualification Playoffs as the No. 11 seed en route to a victory against Team Switzerland (Girgensons had 0-1—1). His five career assists (1-5—6 in 8 GP) in Olympic Games with NHL involvement are the third most by a Latvian skater, behind AleksandrsNizivijs (4-8—12 in 13 GP) and 1995-96 Stanley Cup champion SandisOzolinsh (1-7—8 in 11 GP).
POINT PRODUCERS ON FULL DISPLAY FOR CZECHIA VS. DENMARK
Avalanche forward MartinNecas (2-3—5) and Hurricanes forward NikolajEhlers (1-2—3) spotlight the third game of the qualification playoffs round, with the winner of this matchup facing No. 1 seed Team Canada in the quarterfinals. Tuesday’s contest marks Team Czechia and Team Denmark’s third all-time meeting at the Olympics but first with NHL participation and first in the knockout stage.
* Ehlers (1-2—3), the highest scoring Danish player in NHL history in terms of goals, points and assists, is fresh off a game-winning goal for his country in the final game of Group C action – Team Denmark’s first-ever victory in Olympic Winter Games featuring NHL players. Ehlers’ current teammates, MortenPoulsen and MarkusLauridsen were crucial for the country during the 2022 Winter Olympics as each forward helped the country advance to the quarterfinals with goals against Team Latvia.
* Necas (2-3—5), featured in the NHL’s YouTube series, “My World,” which highlights some of the game’s brightest international stars, entered the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 averaging the highest points-per-game pace in his career (1.19 P/GP) and has continued his offensive production with Team Czechia. He needs one point to tie VinnyProspal (4-2—6 in 2006) for the third most by a Czechia player in a single Olympic tournament featuring NHL players, trailing only Martin Straka (2-6—8 in 2006) and Jaromir Jagr (2-5—7 in 2006).
SWITZERLAND EYES MORE OFFENSE FROM THE DEFENSE AGAINST HOST ITALY
Devils teammates TimoMeier (3-1—4) and Nico Hischier (0-1—1), as well as Predators captain RomanJosi (1-2—3) lead their club into a showdown with the host country as Team Switzerland and Team Italy collide for an opportunity to face No. 4 seed Team Finland in the quarterfinals. This will be their second meeting at an Olympics with NHL participation after the two countries skated to a 3-3 draw in the round robin of the Torino 2006 Winter Olympics.
* Josi, featured in the NHL’s YouTube series, “My World,” which highlights some of the game’s brightest international stars, has his sights on guiding Switzerland to its third-ever appearance in the quarterfinals of an Olympic Games featuring NHL players following 2010 and 2006. The Predators captain has helped Team Switzerland produce 3-8—11 from their defensemen at Milano Cortina – their most in a single Olympic tournament with NHL involvement.
* Team Italy goaltender and Ducks prospect DamianClara has faced a tournament-high 95 shots as he looks to backstop the home country to their second-ever win in Olympic Games featuring NHL players after the Azzurri defeated Austria during the 1998 preliminary round. Team Italy looks to become the fourth host country to advance to at least the quarterfinals of a tournament that featured NHL skaters following Team Russia (2014), Team Canada (2010) and Team USA (2002).
GERMAN STARS LEAD CLUB INTO SECOND HEAD-TO-HEAD CLASH WITH TEAM FRANCE
Senators forward Tim Stützle (4-0—4), who shares the tournament lead in goals, and Oilers forward LeonDraisaitl (1-2—3) headline a matchup between Team Germany and Team France in the Qualification Playoffs – the second-ever meeting between the two countries in Olympic Winter Games featuring NHL players (also 1998 PRLM). Team France eyes its first quarterfinals berth including NHL involvement, while Team Germany has its sights on its second (2002 at USA). The winner of this contest will face No. 3 seed Team Slovakia in the quarterfinals.
* LouisBoudon (2-1—3 in 3 GP) has been a regular contributor to France’s offense throughout the tournament and can become the country’s third different skater to score three or more goals in a single Olympic competition featuring NHL players. He would join PhilippeBozon (5 in 1998 & 3 in 2002) and MauriceRozenthal (4 in 2002).
* Stützle, featured in the NHL’s YouTube series, “My World,” which highlights some of the game’s brightest international stars, has found the back of the net for Team Germany in every contest to begin the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. He can become the fourth player to score in four straight Olympic games involving NHL players, alongside Slovakia’s Marian Hossa (4 GP in 2006), Finland’s Teemu Selanne (4 GP in 2006) andSweden’s Mats Sundin (4 GP in 2002). Of note: Sharks forward MacklinCelebrini can also do so with Canada.
The Medal Round of the Women’s Ice Hockey Tournament at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 continued today with 45 of the PWHL’s 61 Olympians on the ice for the Semifinals.
MONDAY’S SEMIFINAL RECAP
UNITED STATES (5) VS. SWEDEN (0)
Boston’s Aerin Frankel backstopped the U.S. to a fifth straight shutout victory with a 23-save performance to advance the Americans to their seventh gold medal game in eight all-time Olympic women’s hockey tournaments. Seattle defender Cayla Barnes opened the scoring with the winning goal at 5:09 of the first period, her first tally of the tournament, before a string of four U.S. goals in the middle frame. Minnesota forward Taylor Heise’s second goal provided the insurance marker, and Frost captain Kendall Coyne Schofield and Montréal’s Hayley Scamurra each contributed their third goals of the tournament less than two minutes apart to cap the scoring. Torrent forward Hannah Bilka chipped in two assists, and Fleet captain Megan Keller had a single helper, both bringing their tournament point totals to seven. Boston rookie Haley Winn and Minnesota veterans Britta Curl-Salemme, Kelly Pannek and Lee Stecklein also recorded single assists in a contest the U.S. led 34-23 in shots. Sweden could not find the same magic in Italy that led them to an upset victory over the U.S. in the semifinals 20 years ago, the last time they medaled at the Olympics, with a silver medal finish in 2006. The Swedes won Olympic bronze in 2002, while the Americans have claimed the gold medal twice in 1998 and 2018.
CANADA (2) VS. SWITZERLAND (1)
Montréal captain Marie-Philip Poulin made history with a two-goal performance, becoming the all-time leading goal scorer in Olympic women’s hockey history, lifting Canada to an eighth straight appearance in the gold medal game. Toronto’s Daryl Watts assisted on both goals and leads the team with eight points in six games, with single assists credited to Vancouver defender Sophie Jaques and Sceptres defender Ella Shelton. Victoire goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens earned the win, her third of the tournament, with seven saves. Boston’s Alina Müller picked up the primary assist on Switzerland’s lone goal to bring her tournament point total to five. Despite being outshot 46-8, the Swiss held the Canadians to their smallest margin of victory in Olympic semifinal history, including two previous head-to-head matchups at this stage of the competition (3-1 in Sochi 2014, 10-3 in Beijing 2022). Switzerland, who won their only Olympic bronze medal in 2014, will face Sweden in Thursday’s bronze medal matchup. The tournament concludes when Canada, the defending Olympic gold medalists, renew their rivalry with the United States in search of a record sixth gold medal following wins in 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2022.
THURSDAY’S FINAL SCHEDULE
BRONZE MEDAL GAME, 8:40 A.M. ET: SWITZERLAND VS. SWEDEN
GOLD MEDAL GAME, 1:10 P.M. ET: UNITED STATES VS. CANADA
RECORDS AND MILESTONES
Poulin is the only player in Olympic women’s hockey history to score 20 career goals, eclipsing the previous record of 18 held by fellow Canadian Hayley Wickenheiser.
Poulin set the record in her 26th career game, tying Wickenheiser and Jayna Hefford, PWHL Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations, for the most Olympic games played by any Canadian.
Frankel became the first goaltender in Olympic women’s hockey history to record three shutouts in a single tournament.
Frankel and Gwyneth Philips (OTT) have combined to produce an Olympic-record shutout streak of 331:23.
Desbiens set a new Canadian Olympic record with her ninth career win, tied for second all-time with Swiss goaltender Florence Schelling and one behind the record of 10 wins held by Finland’s Noora Räty.
Müller moved into a tie for seventh in all-time Olympic scoring alongside Canadian Meghan Agosta with 28 points (15G, 13A) in 25 career games.
Keller is tied for fourth in all-time Olympic scoring by a defender with 13 points in 18 games, while her 11 career assists bring her tied with Tara Mounsey for the most by an American defender, and second overall behind Claire Thompson (VAN) who has 14.
Coyne Schofield became the 21st woman and seventh American to score 10 career Olympic goals and is tied with teammate Alex Carpenter (SEA) and Cammi Granato for fifth in all-time U.S. points with 18.
Pannek became the 19th American woman to record 10 career Olympic points (2G, 8A), reaching the mark in her 18th career game.
