Canada vs Switzerland in Women’s Ice Hockey Semifinals: Switzerland was Close to go to the Gold Medal Round as Canada Wins 2-1

Canada vs. Switzerland in the women's hockey semifinal at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, as both teams were determine to get a spot for Gold as the team who loses goes to the Bronze Medal Match. It was a tense, low-scoring affair that both teams took the sacrifice until the end of the match.

The opening 20 minutes at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena were a defensive masterclass from Switzerland, keeping the scoreboard blank at 0-0 despite Canada's overwhelming territorial dominance. The Canadians dictated play from the drop, peppering Swiss goalie Andrea Brändli with 13 shots while allowing just one in return, as Switzerland leaned on disciplined backchecking, timely blocks, and Brändli's sharp early saves—including a key stop on a dangerous rush and rebound chance late in the frame. Canada's power play opportunities fizzled without converting, and the Swiss penalty kill (after a minor infraction) held firm. This gritty, shot-heavy but goal-less stanza built anticipation for what was to come, with Canada's pressure mounting but Switzerland refusing to crack under the early barrage.

The middle frame erupted for Canada as captain Marie-Philip Poulin delivered a historic two-goal outburst to stake a 2-0 lead. Just 1:49 in, Poulin rifled a one-timer from the high slot—assisted by Sophie Jaques and Daryl Watts—that knuckled past Brändli after deflecting through traffic, marking her 19th career Olympic goal and surpassing Hayley Wickenheiser's all-time record. The milestone electrified the bench and crowd, and Poulin struck again at 8:21, pouncing on a rebound from Ella Shelton's shot (with Watts assisting once more) and diving to stuff it home for her 20th Olympic tally. Canada continued to control possession and rack up shots (building toward a 46-8 game total), while Brändli stood on her head with big saves to prevent further damage. Switzerland's defense battled valiantly but couldn't generate much offensively, leaving the period firmly in Canada's hands at 2-0.

Switzerland turned the momentum in the final frame, clawing back to make it a one-goal game and pushing Canada to the brink in a dramatic finish. At 4:53, Alina Müller threaded a clever pass from behind the net to Rahel Enzler, who snapped a quick shot past Ann-Renée Desbiens to cut the deficit to 2-1 and ignite the underdogs. The Swiss ramped up their forecheck, creating sustained pressure, zone time, and late chances—despite the lopsided shot count—with Desbiens forced into clutch stops on deflections, redirects, and point-blank attempts. Switzerland pulled Brändli for the extra attacker in the closing minutes (around 1:30 left), leading to frantic scrums, near-misses on loose pucks in the crease, blocked shots, and heart-stopping moments where the tying goal tantalizingly eluded them.

Canada's veterans responded with poise clearing zones, blocking shots, and shutting down transitions to preserve the lead through the buzzer, securing the 2-1 win and an eighth straight Olympic gold medal game appearance as they will play against the United States. on Thursday while Switzerland will play agianst Sweden in the Bronze Medal Match on the same day. The final two games will be a contentant Tournament as the American Torunament will fight for Gold Medal, while Europe is battling for Bronze as it would be exicted to see both teams compete to have the glory of Women's Ice Hockey.