Aerin Frankel Makes History With First Shutout Of Team Canada In Olympic Women’s Hockey

Written By Gina Anton

MILAN — In one of the most stunning performances of the 2026 Winter Olympics, Aerin Frankel, the star goaltender for Team USA, delivered a milestone moment in women’s hockey by becoming the first goaltender ever to shut out Team Canada in Olympic competition. Her 20-save shutout of Canada helped fuel a 5–0 victory in preliminary-round play at the Milano-Cortina Games on February 10.

The result was historic on multiple levels: not only did Team USA dominate one of its fiercest archrivals, but Canada was held scoreless in Olympic play for the first time. Frankel’s composed, technically sound presence in net frustrated Canadian skaters all game long and gave the Americans a firm foundation for their march toward medal contention.

After the game, Cayla Barnes, a defender for Team USA, reflected on the chemistry of the team that led to this moment. 

“This is four years in the making,” she told the Los Angeles Times. “We’ve been putting together a collection of games, a collection of players, building some chemistry and a lot of trust and a lot of faith in each other. So I think that’s what you’re seeing here.

Frankel’s performance underscored the balance of elite goaltending and team execution. In previous matchups, Frankel had already shown she could stem the tide against top teams, and her Olympic shutout stands as arguably the pinnacle of that consistency.

Team USA’s All-Around Effort

While Frankel’s goaltending anchored the effort, offensive contributions from across the lineup ensured the victory.

Fresh talent and veteran leadership combined as Hannah Bilka scored twice and Caroline Harvey added a goal and two assists, dictating play early and often. Abbey Murphy’s playmaking also stood out, as she set up multiple goals.

Canada entered the game without longtime captain Marie-Philip Poulin, who was ruled out with a lower-body injury earlier in the tournament. Her absence was felt. 

Frankel’s shutout was a defining moment in a rivalry that has helped elevate women’s hockey on the world stage. As both teams move into the knockout rounds, her performance and the team’s dominance signal that the Olympic gold medal chase will be intense, historic, and hard-fought.