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MILAN — U.S. hockey star Hilary Knight became the all-time leading scorer in U.S. women’s hockey history at the Olympics in the most dramatic way possible when she scored her 15th career goal late in the gold medal game of the Milan Cortina Olympics.
Knight, 36, deflected a shot to tie Canada, 1-1, with two minutes left in regulation.
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Knight broke the goals record held by former American players Natalie Darwitz and Katie King, whom she called “legendary players” on Feb. 7 when she tied their mark with a goal against Finland. She did not realize she had matched history at the time, she said. Knight reached 14 goals in 15 career Olympic games, while King did it in 16 games. This was Knight’s 27th career Olympic appearance, extending her U.S. record.
“No idea,” Knight said early in the tournament. “I just love scoring, and that pure elation of finding the back of the net. It’s a little-kid moment. When you score, it’s pure excitement.”
With 33 points, Knight also broke the record for career points at an Olympics she held with Jenny Potter.
Days later, there was no mistaking what had happened when she scored against Canada at Santagiulia hockey arena. U.S. teammates rushed toward Knight after her goal, surrounding her while patting her blue helmet with their gloves.
Knight won silver Olympic medals with the U.S. in 2010, 2014 and 2022 and a gold, from 2018, while playing Canada in every gold medal game.
Across all 31 major tournaments played in women’s hockey history, including seven Olympics, these two countries have combined to win all 31 times, with the U.S. and Canada meeting in six of seven Olympic finals. More recently, the U.S. has won world championships in 2023 and 2025, while Canada won in 2024.
Knight’s record-setting performance came only days after she got engaged to longtime girlfriend Brittany Bowe, a U.S. speedskater.
After earning the second Olympic gold of her career, Knight said she was more nervous to propose — “my legs felt like Jello” — than to play in her fifth gold medal game.
Teammate Megan Keller, who scored the game-winning goal over Canada in overtime, said Knight hadn’t even informed her teammates of her plan to propose.
“I don’t know what I was thinking,” Knight said.
Andrew Greif is a sports reporter for NBC News Digital.
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