Key Takeaways
- The 2026 IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship was won by Team USA, with a 2-0 victory over Canada in the gold medal game
- Nine skaters with local ties from New England contributed to Team USA’s success in the tournament
- The U.S. team, led by head coach Courtney Kennedy, finished with a perfect 6-0-0 record and a 56-1 scoring margin
- Local players had standout performances throughout the tournament, including Emily Pohl, Lindsey Stepnowski, Talla Hansen, and Bianca Birrittieri
- The tournament marked Team USA’s 10th gold medal overall and second in the last three seasons
Introduction to the Tournament
The 2026 IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship was a resounding success for Team USA, with the squad claiming gold in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. The team’s victory was marked by a 2-0 shutout over host Canada in the gold medal game, with goals from Emily Pohl and Lindsey Stepnowski, and a standout performance from Bianca Birrittieri in net. The win marked Team USA’s 10th gold medal overall and second in the last three seasons, and was a testament to the strength and depth of the U.S. women’s hockey program.
Team USA’s Dominant Performance
Team USA’s performance in the tournament was nothing short of dominant, with the squad finishing with a perfect 6-0-0 record and a 56-1 scoring margin. The team never trailed at any point in the tournament, and outscored their opponents by an average of 9-0.5 goals per game. In the gold medal game, the U.S. team was led by Pohl and Stepnowski’s goals, as well as two assists from Talla Hansen. Birrittieri’s 37-save shutout earned her Player of the Game honors, and capped off a tournament in which she allowed just one goal in six games.
Local Players Shine
The success of Team USA was due in large part to the contributions of local players from New England. Nine skaters with ties to the region played for the U.S. team, and several had standout performances throughout the tournament. In addition to Pohl, Stepnowski, Hansen, and Birrittieri, other local players who contributed to the team’s success included Annabelle Lovell, who has committed to play for the University of Minnesota and has 69 points in 40 games for Lovell Academy this season. The strong showing from local players is a testament to the strength of women’s hockey in New England, and bodes well for the future of the sport in the region.
Tournament Recap
The 2026 IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship was a thrilling tournament that saw Team USA face off against some of the top teams in the world. In addition to their 2-0 win over Canada in the gold medal game, the U.S. team also beat Sweden 9-1 in the semifinals, and Hungary 9-0 in the quarterfinals. In group play, the team took care of Finland 14-0, Czechia 9-1, and Slovakia 13-0. The tournament was a showcase for the skill and talent of the U.S. team, and marked a successful defense of their gold medal from the 2024 tournament.
Conclusion
The 2026 IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship was a resounding success for Team USA, with the squad claiming gold and capping off a perfect tournament. The team’s dominant performance was marked by a 56-1 scoring margin, and was due in large part to the contributions of local players from New England. The strong showing from the U.S. team bodes well for the future of women’s hockey in the country, and marks a successful start to the new year for the sport. With a talented young core and a strong team dynamic, the future is bright for Team USA, and fans can look forward to seeing these players compete at the highest level for years to come.
