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Women's Ice Hockey: 2026 Winter Olympics: Joy Dunne (24) of the United States shoots during the Women's Playoffs Semifinal match vs Sweden at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.Milan, Italy 2/16/2026 CREDIT: Erick W. Rasco (Photo by Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)(Set Number: X164854 TK1)
Thursday’s medal games in women’s hockey will be loaded with current and former Buckeyes. There will be 11 players from Ohio State vying for gold and bronze medals in Milan, with each of the four teams featuring at least one Buckeye.
Of the 12 current and former players from Ohio State, the only one who wasn’t able to advance to the medal round is Sanni Vanhanen, as Finland was shutout 1-0 by goaltender Andrea Braendli and Switzerland in the quarterfinals.
Before the main event on Thursday afternoon, Sweden and Switzerland will square off in the morning in the bronze medal game. Sweden has won five of the six games they have played in Italy, with their only loss coming to the United States on Tuesday.
Ohio State freshman Hilda Svensson has been strong throughout the Olympics, registering five assists and an empty net goal in the 2-0 win over Czechia.
Along with Svensson’s production, teammates Jenna Raunio and Mira Jungåker have each had moments throughout the games. Jungåker opened up the Olympics with a goal and an assist in a 4-1 win over Germany in Sweden’s first game.
Jenna Raunio added two assists in the win against Germany, along with assists against Italy and Japan. If Sweden is able to win the bronze it will be their third Olympic medal in women’s ice hockey and first since 2006.
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After not dressing in Switzerland’s first two Olympic games, former Ohio State goaltender Andrea Braendli has started three of the last four games in Italy. Even though Braendli was thrown into the fire in her first start, as she was tasked with trying to keep the United States out of the net.
Despite Switzerland losing 5-0, Braendli performed admirably, making 45 saves.
Following the loss to the United States, Braendli was the backup goaltender in a 3-1 loss to Finland, which was Switzerland’s final group stage game. The Swiss would square off again with Finland in the quarterfinals, and this time Braendli was the starter.
Switzerland was able to get revenge on Sanni Vanhanen and Finland, as Braendli made 40 saves in the 1-0 shutout. In the semifinals, Switzerland played Canada tough but lost 2-1. Braendli made 44 saves in the game, marking her third game in the Olympics with at least 40 saves.
If Switzerland is able to beat Sweden it will mark their second-ever bronze medal in women’s hockey.
Thursday’s gold medal game between the United States and Canada will feature seven Buckeyes. This marks the sixth time the two countries have met in the seven gold medal games in women’s hockey played in the Olympics. Canada is the defending gold medalists and will be looking to win their sixth gold medal, while the United States are seeking their third goal medal, and first since 2018.
The neighboring countries have now met in the last five gold medal games.
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Team USA has three Ohio State players on their roster. Former Buckeye Hannah Bilka has been outstanding, registering four goals and three assists. Bilka scored two goals in the 5-0 win over Canada in the group stage, and followed that performance up with a goal against Italy and two assists in the semifinals against Sweden. Cayla Barnes scored the first goal in Monday’s semifinal win, which is her only point so far in the Olympics.
The only current Ohio State player on Team USA is Joy Dunne. The Missouri native has impressed in Milan, scoring two goals and dishing out three assists. Dunne did most of her damage in the group stage, with her two goals coming over the first three games, followed by two assists in the 5-0 win over Andrea Braendli and Switzerland.
Dunne, Bilka, and Barnes have all put in work to help the United States record five straight shutouts after allowing a goal in their first game against Czechia.
Despite their dominance in women’s hockey in the Olympics over the years, Canada will come into Thursday’s game as the underdog. Our neighbors to the north have four former Buckeyes on their roster. The senior member of the quartet is Natalie Spooner, who had a goal in Canada’s first game in Italy.
The other former Ohio State player to score a goal in this year’s Olympics for Canada is Jenn Gardiner. The forward found the back of the net in Canada’s 5-0 win over Finland last Thursday.
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Rounding out the Ohio State influence on Team Canada are Sophie Jaques and Emma Maltais. Following a slow start to her time at the Olympics, Jaques has found her rhythm as the pressure has been turned up. The 2023 Patty Kazmaier Award winner has registered an assist in each of the last three games.
Maltais has added two assists in Canada’s six games. If Canada does happen to beat the United States, Spooner would become a three-time gold medalist, while Maltais would win her second gold medal.
The bronze medal game between Sweden and Switzerland is scheduled to start at 8:40 a.m. ET, and can be seen on USA Network and Peacock. The gold medal game between the United States and Canada is scheduled to begin at 1:10 p.m. ET and also can be seen on USA Network and Peacock.
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