History on Ice: Team USA Shines with Record Performances and Landmark Wins

Team USA made history at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The athletes broke records, aimed for gold, and delivered unforgettable victories.

Courtesy of USA Hockey

U.S. hockey star Hilary Knight became the all-time leading scorer in U.S. women's hockey history at the Olympics. Knight broke the goals record held by former Team USA players Natalie Darwitz and Katie King.

Knight wasn’t the only record breaker. Star defender Laila Edwards became the first African American Woman to play on the U.S Women's Hockey Team and win gold. 

“Representation in sports is very important—a lot of the younger generations may not learn about other sports unless they gain the exposure to it. Many sports like hockey are portrayed as a white male sport, but with exposure, it can be more than that,” said Davione Alvis, first-year kinesiology major and band major for HU Marching Force. 

Overall, the Team delivered an incredible comeback by beating Canada 2-1 in overtime. It was the seventh time the two teams faced off for Olympic gold. In the 2022 Beijing final, Canada beat Team USA 3-2.

The U.S men’s hockey team was also victorious, defeating Canada 2-1 in an intense overtime. Jack Hughes scored the winning goal, granting Team USA its first gold since 1980.

Alysa Liu won gold in women’s figure skating, delivering America’s first gold in the sport since 2002. She finished with a career-best 226.79 points. Liu offered a beautiful performance and remarkable comeback after walking away from the sport following the 2022 Beijing Games.

“As a dancer, it inspires me to go into the communities of those that look like me and show them that dancing is for anybody—Especially for little black girls who inspire to be ballerinas, encouraging them and letting them know they are strong enough to achieve anything they want,” said Davione Alvis.