MILAN – Aerin Frankel aims to be a “dependable foundation” for her teammates whenever she is in goal for the U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team.
Frankel understands that the greater the trust they place in her, the more chances they can take to advance the puck and attempt to score themselves.
“Our team consistently performs exceptionally well defensively,” Frankel remarked following her shutout against Canada, which ended 5-0 in preliminary play at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. “It is incredibly enjoyable to play behind them, and I strive to be a steady presence for them so they can play freely, utilizing our speed and skill, knowing I am there when they require support.”
Team USA, along with its goalie trio of Frankel, Gwyneth Philips, and Ava McNaughton, has achieved four consecutive shutout victories and a record-setting no-goals-allowed streak of 271:23, starting from their win over Czechia, which ended 5-1.
The impressive defensive display has, in some respects, been overshadowed by the offensive surge from the U.S. squad in Milan. The U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team leads the Winter Games with 26 goals and an impressive 225 shots on goal. The U.S. has secured victories in all five of its games in regulation, with 14 different players contributing at least one goal.
The ability of any four of Team USA’s lines and defensive pairings to dictate the pace of play further complicates matters for opposing teams.
“I firmly believe that the best offense is a strong defense, involving puck possession, pursuing loose pucks, and making it as challenging as possible for the defense,” stated John Wroblewski, head coach of the U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team, after the team’s 6-0 win against Italy in the quarterfinals. “So, if they are going to transition to offense, they have earned their entire 200 feet, and if they are caught in between changes, you are ready to reload with fresh players. That, to me, is the essence of defense.
“That said, we seize every opportunity to discuss line rush assignments, roles in breakouts, and funnels rather than just positions, aiming to read off each other as much as possible. In line rush situations against volatility, we analyze the rushes that other teams may execute. We cover all the various scenarios that could arise during a game.”
Frankel holds a 3-0 record in Milan, with two shutouts and has conceded only one goal on 45 shots. Meanwhile, Philips has denied all 26 shots she has faced in the tournament across two games, including six against Italy.
“It is always a collective effort, but a special acknowledgment goes to our goalies,” remarked defender Lee Stecklein. “We have three outstanding goalies. Aerin has been performing remarkably as well. I appreciate our defense. We have a solid defensive unit, and the commitment of our forwards to defense is also commendable. It simplifies everyone’s responsibilities.”
Frankel, a two-time IIHF Women’s World Championship gold medalist, has displayed no signs of nerves or weaknesses during her first Olympic experience.
“I aim to play calmly, but of course, I remain highly focused and competitive, doing everything I can to provide my team with a chance to win, and I know they are equally committed to defending for me,” Frankel stated. “What makes our group unique is how we compete for one another. There is a lot of adrenaline, but we have encountered these situations before, and we strive to maintain composure and focus.”
The U.S. will seek to sustain its strong defensive performance when it faces Sweden on Monday night in the semifinals. Fans can view the game on NBC and Peacock at 10:40 a.m. ET.
Sweden topped Group B and is also 5-0 in Milan. The Swedes advanced to the semifinals following a 2-0 win over Czechia, with goals from Hanna Olsson and Hilda Svensson, while Ebba Traff Svensson recorded a 29-save shutout.
Thea Johansson’s four goals for Sweden are tied with Team USA’s Hannah Bilka for the highest total at the Olympics.
“Games are never easy,” Team USA forward Taylor Heise noted. “Anyone you face here, it is the Olympics, and they will give you their best effort. … Some of the Swedish players compete in the PWHL, and they will try to frustrate you and slow the game down, but they are very skilled.
“Whatever it takes for us to secure a win, we will do in that game, but primarily we will concentrate on our performance. If we come out and play as we are capable of, it will be quite challenging for others to defeat us.”
Wroblewski emphasizes the importance of his team maintaining focus on the task at hand, regardless of how close they are to achieving their ultimate goal of securing the country’s third gold medal in women’s hockey.
“There must be a great deal of respect for the unpredictability and how delicate the balance is between success and failure,” Wroblewski remarked. “You cannot take anything for granted. Confidence is beneficial, as it is earned. However, we must ensure that in these single-elimination games, they are unpredictable.”
Stecklein concurred.
“Absolutely, one game at a time,” Stecklein affirmed. “That has been our approach throughout the tournament, and it is especially true now as we enter the knockout rounds against Sweden. We are eager to face them and continue to build on our progress, aiming to improve with each game.”
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