Zac Electrifly

The United States Women’s Ice Hockey team is set to face Italy in the quarterfinals of the Milano Cortina 2026 women’s ice hockey tournament, carrying plenty of momentum into the knockout stage. Team USA cruised through the group stage with a perfect 4-0-0 record, finishing atop Group B after earning all 12 possible points. The Americans have been dominant on both ends of the ice, scoring 20 goals while allowing just one, good for an eye-popping +19 goal differential. Their defensive strength has been especially impressive, as the United States enters the quarterfinals riding a three-game shutout streak that included a statement win over rival Canada. While they have already accomplished a great deal in the tournament, the mission is far from complete as the pressure intensifies in elimination play. Standing in their way is the host nation, Italy, which finished third in Group B with a 2-2-0 record. Italy showed flashes of competitiveness during the group stage, collecting six points while scoring 9 goals and allowing 11 for a -2 goal differential. Although the United States enters the matchup as a heavy favorite, Italy will have the advantage of a passionate home crowd that could provide an emotional lift in this do-or-die contest. A win for the United States would send them to the semifinals and guarantee a chance to play for a medal, keeping their gold-medal aspirations firmly intact. The question now is whether Italy can rise to the moment on home ice, or if the United States will continue its commanding run and reaffirm its dominance in women’s ice hockey at Milano Cortina 2026?

The game will be on Friday, February 13th, 2026, at 12:10 PM PST. The game will be at the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena.