2026 Olympic Quarterfinal Preview: United States vs. Italy
After a perfect preliminary round, Team USA is set for a quarterfinal matchup against host Italy, who have surprised many en route to a historic tournament.
After an exciting preliminary round, the women’s hockey quarterfinals will get underway tomorrow at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics. Czechia and Sweden will kick things off at 4:40 p.m. local/10:40 a.m. ET, while the United States and Italy will cap off the first day of quarterfinals at 9:10 p.m. local/3:10 p.m. ET. Here's what you need to know before the puck drops on the late game.
How They Got Here
Team USA got here in dominant fashion, outscoring their opponents 20-1—including a 5-0 thumping of rival Canada—in their four preliminary games. 23-year-old University of Wisconsin defensive phenom Caroline Harvey leads all U.S. skaters with seven points (two goals, five assists) and average TOI at 22:44. Harvey's five assists also lead the tournament, while her seven points are tied for the tournament lead with German forward Laura Kluge. All three U.S. goaltenders saw the ice in the opening round, with starter Aerin Frankel earning two shutouts in three appearances and leading in the tournament with a 0.978 SV% and 0.33 GAA. Meanwhile, backup Gwyneth Phillips earned a shutout against Switzerland, and third netminder Ava McNaughton got her feet wet with a couple of minutes played and one shot saved against Switzerland.
On the other side of the ice, Team Italy has been the surprise of the tournament. Predicted by many to lose out in this tournament after entering it ranked 18th in the world, Italy skates into the quarterfinals with two wins over France and Japan and another close game against Germany. 25-year-old Toronto Sceptres reserve forward Kristin Della Rovere leads all Italian skaters with four points (two goals, two assists), while former Team Canada and current Real Torino defender Laura Fortino leads the team in average time on ice at 27:24 ATOI. Meanwhile, Gabriella Durante leads the way in the crease for Italy, taking over in relief of Martina Fedel in the third period against Sweden and then starting the next two games, going 1-0-0-1 with a 0.927 SV% (fourth in the tournament) and 2.28 GAA (fifth in the tournament). As for Fedel, she owns a 0.872 SV% and 3.37 GAA in her two appearances.
Storylines
USA
In a tournament that has seen Hilary Knight tie Jenny Potter for the all-time lead in U.S. points at the Olympics, it's Team USA's youth that has made the most headlines. Nine of their 13 multi-point scorers are age 25 and under, as were all five of their goal scorers–and eight of their nine point scorers–against Canada. With 12 Olympic rookies, including all three goaltenders, rostered, the biggest question for Team USA heading into the tournament was whether they could make a seamless transition to the Olympic stage, and the answer has been an emphatic yes.
Italy
Italy has found success this tournament in low-event games. They play a solid structure that has allowed them to limit their opponents' offensive chances, while also being opportunistic offensively. They know their opponents are more talented than them, but talent only gets so far against suffocating defense. In their two wins and the narrow 2-1 loss to Germany, Italy allowed just 68 shots on goal while taking 93 of their own (although 46 of those came in the tournament opener against France).
Prediction
Italy has been a team full of surprises this tournament, but they won’t be pulling off another one against the United States, who have been in a class of their own this tournament. The Italians did well against the low-scoring teams in their group, but Sweden was able to dominate them, and the U.S. is still several steps ahead of Sweden. It’s unlikely to be a close game, but regardless of the result, there will be no reason for Italy to hang their heads. This is the first quarterfinal appearance in any top division tournament for Italy, and they’ve put on a heck of a show for their home crowd.
Comments ()