Team USA Men's Hockey Wins Gold in Overtime

The U.S. team defeated Canada 2-1 in the final in Milan.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The United States Men's Hockey team returned home to a hero's welcome on Monday after winning the gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Milan. The team defeated Canada 2-1 in an overtime thriller to capture the gold, capping off a successful tournament run.

Why it matters

The U.S. men's hockey team's gold medal victory is a major source of national pride, especially after the disappointment of not qualifying for the previous Winter Olympics. The win over rival Canada in the final adds to the excitement and significance of the achievement.

The details

In the gold medal game, the score was tied 1-1 at the end of regulation, sending the game to overtime. In the extra period, U.S. forward Jack Hughes scored the game-winning goal to give the Americans the victory. Other key contributors for Team USA included Auston Matthews, Matthew Tkachuk, Quinn Hughes, and Brady Tkachuk.

  • The U.S. men's hockey team arrived back in the United States on Monday, February 24, 2026.
  • The gold medal game against Canada was played on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy.

The players

Team USA Men's Hockey

The United States men's national ice hockey team that won the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.

Canada Men's Hockey Team

The Canadian men's national ice hockey team that lost to the United States in the gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Jack Hughes

A forward for the United States men's hockey team who scored the game-winning goal in overtime to defeat Canada in the gold medal game.

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What they’re saying

“Winning gold for our country is the ultimate dream. I'm so proud of this team and what we accomplished.”

— Jack Hughes, Forward, Team USA (NBC Palm Springs)

What’s next

The U.S. men's hockey team will be honored with a parade and celebration in their hometown of Desert Hot Springs, California on Saturday, February 28th.

The takeaway

The U.S. men's hockey team's dramatic gold medal victory over Canada showcases the country's continued dominance in international hockey and the resilience of the players to overcome adversity and bring home the top prize.