Bitter rivals clash as US women's hockey eyes Olympic gold medal in final against defending champion Canada

'Don't @ Me' host Dan Dakich calls out what he calls a 'problem' at the Olympics - an Anti-American sentiment - on 'Fox & Friends First.'

The stage is officially set in the 2026 Milan Cortina Games — the United States against Canada for women’s hockey gold on Thursday night.

Since women's hockey joined the Olympic schedule in 1998, only the U.S. or Canada have ever won gold. And six of the seven gold-medal games in Olympic history have been between these two countries.

Both teams understand that better than anyone, but it’s been Canada winning four of those six matchups, including the most recent Olympic Games in Beijing in 2022.

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Team United States huddles up prior to the Women's Preliminary Group A match between United States and Canada on day four of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 10, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Mike Segar/ Pool)

This time around, though, it’s Team USA that is the heavy favorite to take home gold when the puck drops at 1:10 p.m. ET in Milan.

While it was a 3-2 win in 2022 for Team Canada, the U.S. dominated them, 5-0, to finish their preliminary round games on Feb. 10.

So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at how each team got to the Olympic final, and more importantly, what to expect between these bitter rivals.

TEAM USA WOMEN'S HOCKEY SHUTS OUT SWEDEN, MOVES TO GOLD MEDAL GAME AT WINTER OLYMPICS

Since touching down in Milan and hitting the ice together, it’s been an onslaught of offense for Team USA, and virtually nothing from their opponents.

The U.S. has outscored their opponents 31-1 entering Thursday game, tallying at least five goals in every game thus far.

Since that last game