NBC's Kenny Albert, Mike Tirico Praised for Olympic Hockey Coverage

Broadcasters receive positive reactions on social media for their call of the U.S.-Canada gold medal game

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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NBC's broadcast crew, led by play-by-play announcer Kenny Albert and host Mike Tirico, received widespread praise on social media for their coverage of the thrilling overtime gold medal men's hockey game between the United States and Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Why it matters

As one of the marquee events of the Winter Games, the men's hockey final is a high-profile showcase for NBC's top on-air talent. The positive reaction to Albert and Tirico's work highlights their skill and experience in delivering compelling coverage of major sporting events.

The details

Commentators and fans took to social media to laud Albert's energetic play-by-play calls, with one describing him as "among the absolute hardest workers in our industry" and delivering his "best" in the game. Tirico also earned praise for his smooth, knowledgeable hosting throughout the broadcast, which aired commercial-free on both NBC and Peacock.

  • The game was played at 8:10 am ET to avoid a conflict with the Olympic closing ceremony.

The players

Kenny Albert

A veteran play-by-play announcer who has covered multiple Olympic Games for NBC.

Mike Tirico

NBC's primetime host for the 2026 Winter Olympics, known for his versatility in covering a wide range of sports.

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What they’re saying

“Put respect on @KennyAlbert's name. His call of the women's golden goal was once in a lifetime. He just delivered again days later. One of the best of his generation.”

— Art Stapleton, Reporter, The Bergen Record (The Bergen Record)

“Kenny Albert has been excellent capturing the excitement and urgency of this game. His energy has matched the moment. #Olympics2026”

— Damon Amendolara, Host, SiriusXM (SiriusXM)

“Mike Tirico is amazing. He goes from calling NBA games to the Super Bowl to the Olympics. And he does it all flawlessly. What a talent.”

— Kevin O'Connor (Yahoo Sports)

The takeaway

NBC's top broadcast team of Kenny Albert and Mike Tirico demonstrated their expertise and versatility in delivering compelling coverage of the high-stakes Olympic hockey final, earning widespread praise from fans and fellow media members.