The penultimate day of the 2026 Winter Olympics has dawned in Italy, and Team USA is surging with late-breaking momentum. Following a historic night at the Milano Ice Skating Arena where Alysa Liu ended a 24-year drought for American women, the United States delegation enters Day 15 with eyes fixed on the podium. As the Milan-Cortina medal table tightens, American fans are bracing for a blockbuster weekend highlighted by a renewed rivalry on the ice: Team USA hockey vs Canada.

Alysa Liu's Historic Figure Skating Gold

In a performance that will be replayed for decades, 20-year-old Alysa Liu figure skating gold became the headline of the Games on Thursday night. Skating to a vibrant cut of Donna Summer’s “MacArthur Park,” Liu delivered a flawless free skate, earning a career-best score of 226.79 to vault from third place to the top of the podium.

Liu’s victory makes her the first American woman to win Olympic individual gold since Sarah Hughes in 2002. It is a remarkable capstone to a comeback story that saw her retire in 2022 only to return with a renewed joy for the sport. “I choose to be here... I love that I was able to come back and choose my own destiny,” Liu told reporters after defeating Japan's Kaori Sakamoto (silver) and Ami Nakai (bronze). Her emotional triumph has galvanized the entire U.S. team as they head into the final 48 hours of competition.

The Ultimate Showdown: Team USA Hockey vs Canada

While the figure skating gold is secured, the biggest team battle is set for Sunday. Following a dominant semifinal victory over Slovakia on Friday, the U.S. men's hockey team has booked a ticket to the gold medal game. Their opponent? None other than Canada, who edged out Finland in their own semifinal clash. This sets the stage for the most anticipated narrative of the Winter Games 2026 highlights: a North American border war for gold.

The U.S. team, boasting a roster of NHL superstars, has played with suffocating speed and skill throughout the tournament. Sunday's finale promises to be a defining moment for this generation of American talent, looking to replicate the “Miracle” energy of 1980, albeit with a team of established professionals.

Olympic Results Today: Curling Finals and Super Saturday

Before the closing ceremony, Day 15 (Saturday, Feb. 21) offers a packed schedule with 10 gold medal events. For fans searching for Olympic results today, the action starts early in the Dolomites.

Curling: Battle for Bronze

The Olympic curling finals weekend kicks off today with a high-stakes matchup. The U.S. women's team, skipped by Tabitha Peterson, faces Canada in the Bronze Medal Game at the Cortina Olympic Stadium. After a heartbreaking 5-4 semifinal loss to Switzerland, the Americans are looking to salvage a medal against their northern neighbors. This “Battle of North America” on the curling sheet serves as a perfect appetizer for Sunday’s hockey finale.

Skiing and Bobsled Action

Elsewhere, the grueling Men's 50km Mass Start (Classic) in cross-country skiing takes center stage, with Norway’s Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo chasing a record-breaking sixth gold medal of these Games. On the slopes, the Women's Freeski Halfpipe final tonight offers another medal opportunity for Team USA, while the 4-man bobsled heats get underway, setting up tomorrow's dramatic conclusion.

Medal Table Watch: The Race for Second

As of Saturday morning, the Milan-Cortina medal table shows Norway in a commanding lead, fulfilling predictions of their winter dominance. However, the battle for second place is fierce. Team USA, bolstered by Liu's figure skating gold and strong performances in freestyle skiing, is in a tight race with the host nation, Italy, and Germany.

With gold medal favorites in the men's hockey final and contenders in today's ski cross and speed skating mass start events, the U.S. has a realistic path to their best Winter Olympic finish in over a decade. As the flame prepares to dim in Verona tomorrow, the next 24 hours will define the legacy of the Class of 2026.