One of the most anticipated sports at every Winter Olympics is ice hockey. Women's hockey, in particular, comes into the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics with surging momentum thanks to the popularity of the Professional Women's Hockey League following its launch in 2023.

Along with Canada, Team USA is one of just two countries that have won gold in women's ice hockey since the event was added to the Olympics in 1998. The Americans won that inaugural year in Nagano, then endured four straight Canadian victories until 2018, when Team USA struck back with a dramatic overtime win to capture gold in Pyeongchang.

After a 2022 Olympic performance that saw a high total medal count but a 30-year low in gold finishes, Team Canada is looking to put more athletes on the podium at the Milano-Cortina Winter Games. These charts show how Canada stacks up against its competition.

The Finnish women's hockey team won't open Olympic play against Team Canada on Thursday as originally scheduled. A norovirus outbreak throughout the Finnish team has led to over a dozen players being quarantined ahead of the contest, per multiple reports.

Follow NBC News live updates for the latest on the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, where hockey and snowboarding events will open ahead of the opening ceremony.

Location: Prince Albert Public Library - John M. Cuelenaere Branch Event: Canada vs. USA Women’s Hockey game (also available in Inuktitut) Date and time: Tuesday, Feb. 10 | 1:00 p.m. start Location: Prince Albert Public Library - John M.

The pop singer's NBC ad for the Winter Olympics didn't sit well with Canadian fans after it only included Team USA athletes.

The Finland women's hockey team had its opening game of the Winter Olympics against Canada on Thursday postponed due to a stomach virus depleting the roster. The game was rescheduled for Feb. 12. https://t.co/rp2a3dnYH3 The virus began affecting the Finland squad on Tuesday night.

Spoiler alert: Her rumored boyfriend, Jack Hughes, is most likely headed to the Winter Games.

Watching the Winter Olympics is an adrenaline rush as athletes fly down snow-covered ski slopes, luge tracks and over the ice at breakneck speeds and with grace. When the first Olympic Winter Games were held in Chamonix,