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US Olympic Hockey Team Wins Gold, Sparking Raucous Celebrations in California
Fans in Santa Monica's O'Brien's Irish Pub erupt in cheers as Team USA edges out Canada in overtime thriller
Published on Feb. 23, 2026
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In a heart-stopping gold medal match at the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, the US men's hockey team defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime, sending fans at Santa Monica's O'Brien's Irish Pub into a frenzy. The pub opened its doors at 5 a.m. local time to host a rowdy, bleary-eyed crowd of hockey enthusiasts who erupted in chants of 'U.S.A.!' as the final seconds ticked away. The electric win delivered Team USA its 12th gold medal of the games and pushed its total haul to 33 medals overall.
Why it matters
The Olympic hockey victory represents a major source of national pride for Americans, especially in a hockey-crazed state like California. The raucous celebrations at O'Brien's Irish Pub highlight the passion and community that sports can inspire, as fans from all walks of life came together to share in the historic moment.
The details
O'Brien's Irish Pub in Santa Monica opened its doors at 5 a.m. local time to host a crowd of devoted hockey fans eager to watch the US men's hockey team compete for the gold medal against Canada. In a thrilling overtime match, the US edged out Canada 2-1, sparking wild celebrations among the pub's patrons. Fans waved American flags, chanted 'U.S.A.!', and expressed their elation at witnessing the team's victory, which delivered the US its 12th gold medal of the Winter Olympics.
- The gold medal match took place on Sunday morning, February 23, 2026.
- O'Brien's Irish Pub opened its doors at 5 a.m. local time to host the viewing party.
The players
O'Brien's Irish Pub
A popular Santa Monica bar that hosted a raucous viewing party for the US men's hockey team's gold medal match against Canada.
Team USA
The United States men's hockey team, which defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime to win the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
Canada
The Canadian men's hockey team, which faced off against the United States in the gold medal match at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
What’s next
As the Winter Olympics draw to a close, the US returns home with the ultimate prize in hand–and a lot of hockey fans in Santa Monica collectively experienced a historic victory for Team USA.
The takeaway
The raucous celebrations at O'Brien's Irish Pub in Santa Monica showcase the unifying power of sports, as fans from diverse backgrounds came together to share in the joy of the US men's hockey team's gold medal triumph. This victory represents a significant source of national pride and community spirit, underscoring the enduring appeal of the Olympic Games.
