Buckeyes Set for Medal Games at 2026 Winter Olympics
2/17/2026 11:50:00 AM | Women's Ice Hockey
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State women's hockey program is the lone NCAA program standing with a representative on every team playing for a medal at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. Eleven players, both current and alumnae, will play in the medal games set for Thursday, Feb. 19 at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy.
Seven Buckeyes will take the ice in Thursday's gold medal game between the United States and Canada. Junior forward Joy Dunne is skating alongside her 2024 national championship teammates Cayla Barnes ('24) and Hannah Bilka ('24) on Team USA and they will face off against Ohio State alumnae Jenn Gardiner ('24), Sophie Jaques ('23), Emma Maltais ('23) and Natalie Spooner ('12).
The Buckeyes' Swedish trio of freshmen Hilda Svensson and Jenna Raunio and sophomore Mira Jungaker play against Switzerland's Andrea Braendli ('22) for the bronze medal.
Buckeye Highlights from Semifinal Games
The United States and Canada will play for gold for the sixth time in the seven Olympics women's hockey has been contested since 1998. Canada enters the matchup as the defending gold medalist and has won gold five times. The United States look to win their first gold since 2018 and third overall. Five of the Ohio State players playing for gold are national champions for the Buckeyes. Gardiner and Jaques were members of Ohio State's first national championship in 2022. Barnes, Bilka and Dunne combined for the game-winning goal in the 2024 national championship game, with Dunne scoring and Barnes and Bilka assisting.
Sweden and Switzerland meet in the bronze medal game for just the second time in Olympic women's hockey history. The Swiss won the 2014 matchup, 4-3. Sweden is playing for its third Olympic medal and first since 2006. Switzerland looks to win its second bronze medal in its Olympic history.
Medal Round Schedule | Thursday, Feb. 19
Seven Buckeyes will take the ice in Thursday's gold medal game between the United States and Canada. Junior forward Joy Dunne is skating alongside her 2024 national championship teammates Cayla Barnes ('24) and Hannah Bilka ('24) on Team USA and they will face off against Ohio State alumnae Jenn Gardiner ('24), Sophie Jaques ('23), Emma Maltais ('23) and Natalie Spooner ('12).
The Buckeyes' Swedish trio of freshmen Hilda Svensson and Jenna Raunio and sophomore Mira Jungaker play against Switzerland's Andrea Braendli ('22) for the bronze medal.
Buckeye Highlights from Semifinal Games
- Cayla Barnes scored her first goal of the tournament with the game-winning goal of the 5-0 United States win over Sweden. Barnes led the team with a +3 on ice. Hannah Bilka recorded a team-high two points on two assists.
- Sophie Jaques assisted one of Canada's two goals in the 2-1 win over Switzerland in the semifinals. Andrea Braendli put on another impressive performance with 44 saves and a 95.65 save percentage in the game.
The United States and Canada will play for gold for the sixth time in the seven Olympics women's hockey has been contested since 1998. Canada enters the matchup as the defending gold medalist and has won gold five times. The United States look to win their first gold since 2018 and third overall. Five of the Ohio State players playing for gold are national champions for the Buckeyes. Gardiner and Jaques were members of Ohio State's first national championship in 2022. Barnes, Bilka and Dunne combined for the game-winning goal in the 2024 national championship game, with Dunne scoring and Barnes and Bilka assisting.
Sweden and Switzerland meet in the bronze medal game for just the second time in Olympic women's hockey history. The Swiss won the 2014 matchup, 4-3. Sweden is playing for its third Olympic medal and first since 2006. Switzerland looks to win its second bronze medal in its Olympic history.
Medal Round Schedule | Thursday, Feb. 19
- Bronze: Sweden vs. Switzerland – 8:40 a.m. ET
- Gold: United States vs. Canada – 1:10 p.m. ET
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