Caroline Harvey Shares What Wasn't Seen During Team USA’s Olympic Gold Game

Team USA's thrilling overtime victory over Canada in the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics is a moment Caroline Harvey says she's still soaking in. The Wisconsin Badgers star and U.S. women's hockey standout helped lead the Americans to a dramatic 2-1 gold medal win, highlighted by Megan Keller's sudden-death overtime goal after Hilary Knight tied the game in the final minutes of regulation.

Harvey spoke about the unforgettable Olympic run during a media appearance at Raising Cane's in Times Square, where she celebrated the historic victory alongside Team USA men's hero Jack Hughes. While the gold medal moment will live in hockey history, Caroline Harvey said life quickly returned to normal once the celebrations ended.

Despite the global spotlight that comes with winning Olympic gold, Harvey said the aftermath of the victory has been relatively calm. "We took some days to celebrate," Harvey said when asked how life had changed since the Olympics. "It didn't change much."

Like many athletes, she explained that the transition back into competition happened quickly. "Now we're back in playoff season," she added of her time in the PWHL. "We're just super impressed with what we did as Americans."

Harvey also reflected on how meaningful it was for both the U.S. men's and women's hockey teams to capture gold at the same Olympic Games, noting that the shared success made the achievement feel even more special. "And for the guys, both of us getting it done at the same time, it's a super accomplishment," she said.

One of the most memorable parts of the Olympic experience, Harvey said, has been the overwhelming support from fans since returning home. "Yeah, we're definitely feeling the love," she said. "It's super special coming back and feeling all the support."

For Harvey, the team always had a clear goal heading into the tournament. "It was just a super special thing to go over there and get the gold," she explained. "That was the end goal for us."

Now, with the championship secured, the team is enjoying the reaction from fans across the country. "We feel the love and feel super supported by everyone," the Olympian added.

Despite entering the championship matchup with momentum from previous wins against Canada, Team USA found itself trailing 1-0 for most of the game. Caroline Harvey said the team never stopped believing they could pull off the comeback. "We had a good run against Canada leading up to that gold medal game," she explained. "But we found ourselves down 1-0 pretty much the whole game."

Everything changed in the final minutes when Hilary Knight delivered the clutch tying goal. "Being able to tie it at the end with no time left was huge," Harvey said.

Moments later, Keller's overtime winner sealed the gold medal for Team USA. "It was super exciting going into overtime," she said. "You never know what can happen."

Although Harvey is part of the next generation of American hockey stars, she said veteran leaders like Hilary Knight continue to play a massive role in shaping the team.

When asked whether the Olympic victory felt like a "passing of the torch," Harvey emphasized that she's still learning from the experienced players around her. "Not exactly," she said. "She's had such a great run. Every Olympics she's been unbelievable."

Harvey praised Knight's impact on the program and the legacy she has built over her career. "She has left quite the legacy," Harvey said. "And she keeps doing unbelievable things."

For the younger players on the roster, Harvey said the focus remains on learning from those leaders. "I'm just continuously trying to learn from the veterans," she explained. "You always learn from your teammates, and I'm just trying to play my best to do whatever's best for the team."

With the growing popularity of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) and increased attention on women's sports, Harvey believes the future of women's hockey is brighter than ever. "It's a super exciting time," she said.

The Olympics, she noted, helped shine a spotlight on the sport. "I think the Olympics brought a lot of attention around that and a lot of eyeballs, especially with hockey, women's hockey, and hockey in general," Harvey said.

As she prepares for the next stage of her career, the Wisconsin standout says she's simply enjoying the journey. "I'm just enjoying the ride and trying to keep growing," she said.

Harvey also expressed appreciation for brands like Raising Cane's, which hosted the Times Square celebration and continues to support athletes across multiple sports. "It means everything," she said. "We definitely feel the support and the love."

The restaurant chain has become known for its partnerships with athletes and sports communities, something Harvey said she is grateful to be part of. "We're grateful for that for sure," she added.

But even beyond the Olympic stage, Harvey continues to make waves in the hockey world. The Wisconsin women's hockey captain recently earned WCHA Player of the Year honors, becoming the second straight Badger to receive the award following teammate Casey O'Brien last season. Harvey also secured the WCHA Defender of the Year award for the third consecutive season, previously winning in both 2024-25 and 2023-24.

With Olympic gold already on her résumé and her college career still thriving, Harvey is part of a generation helping push women's hockey to new heights. And if the excitement surrounding Team USA's 2026 Olympic run is any indication, the future of the sport is only getting brighter.