MILAN — They are golden again.

After an eight-year wait, after falling in Beijing and after Team USA slowly climbed to the mountaintop over the course of this four-year cycle, they finally reached the summit on Thursday with a 2-1 overtime win over Canada on Megan Keller’s golden goal that ended a classic, breathtaking game of hockey.

Fifty-seven minutes in, Team USA’s nightmare was playing out. Huge favorites coming in, the Americans were on the ropes, a largely hostile crowd bearing down on them as Canada leading 1-0.

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Several US players are skating around with American flags draped over them -- Kelly Pannek is wearing perhaps the most apropos one: a red, white and blue image of the goal-scorer herself, with "In Keller We Trust" written on it.

Defender Megan Keller showcased some pretty deft hands, rushing up the wall and going outside-in on Canada's Claire Thompson before tucking a nifty backhander past goalie Ann-Renee Desbiens.

The goal set off a monsoon of American gloves and sticks into the air in celebration just over four minutes into the 3-on-3 overtime session.

For the third time in Olympic history, the U.S. women are ice hockey champions.

Team USA wins a gold medal after a thrilling 2-1 OT win against Canada.

Here we go.

3-on-3 OT is underway in the gold-medal game. It will be a 20 minute, sudden-death period.

Does it get any better than this?

USA vs. Canada will head to OT for the gold-medal game thanks to Hilary Knight's clutch goal with 2:04 remaining.

Hilary Knight ties it with 2:04 remaining. Crowd breaks out in U-S-A chant.

With that goal, Knight becomes the highest point getter in U.S. Women's Olympic hockey history.

Team USA has pulled the goalie with two minutes remaining.

Team USA is back to full strength after killing off a boarding penalty. Team Canada still controlling possession with 3:45 to go.

Team USA has 10 minutes left to tie the game.

Shots are 25-23 in favor of the Americans but they aren't generating high-quality chances in the third period.

The third period has started.

Pressure is mounting. It's now or never for Team USA to get back into the game.