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Team USA defeats Canada in OT for first men's hockey Olympic gold since 1980
Victory marks first Olympic hockey sweep for United States in men's and women's competition
Feb. 23, 2026 at 8:55pm
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For the first time since the 'Miracle on Ice' team's triumph at the 1980 Winter Games, the U.S. men's hockey team has won Olympic gold, defeating Canada 2-1 in overtime at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Jack Hughes scored the decisive goal just 1:41 into the extra period, completing a historic Olympic sweep for the United States with both the men's and women's teams capturing gold medals.
Why it matters
The victory marks the first time since 1980 that the U.S. men's hockey team has won Olympic gold, a significant achievement given the country's long drought in the sport at the highest international level. The win also makes the U.S. the first nation to claim both the men's and women's hockey golds at the same Winter Olympics, underscoring the strength of the country's hockey development system and programs.
The details
In the gold medal game, Matt Boldy opened the scoring for Team USA early in the first period, but Canada's Cale Makar tied it in the second. The game remained knotted at 1-1 through regulation, setting the stage for Jack Hughes' overtime heroics. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was instrumental, making 41 saves to keep the Americans in the game. The victory was especially poignant as the team honored the memory of Johnny Gaudreau, a former player who was killed in 2024 along with his brother.
- The game was played on February 23, 2026 at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.
- Team USA's previous Olympic men's hockey gold medal came at the 1980 Winter Games in Lake Placid, New York.
The players
Jack Hughes
The 24-year-old center scored the game-winning goal in overtime to give Team USA the gold medal.
Connor Hellebuyck
The 33-year-old goaltender made 41 saves to backstop the U.S. to victory, earning praise as the team's best player.
Johnny Gaudreau
A former player who was killed in 2024 along with his brother, Gaudreau was honored by the team with jersey numbers and a celebration on the ice.
What they’re saying
“I can't even believe this. I mean, it's such an unbelievable game, USA-Canada. Such a good game. There's so many great players. We're a great team. That's exactly how we wanted it to go. We're underdogs to Canada, (but we) beat them. It could have gone either way.”
— Jack Hughes
“Unbelievable game by Hellebuyck. He was our best player by a mile.”
— Jack Hughes
“He was so near and dear to us. We did it for him.”
— Brady Tkachuk
What’s next
The victory celebration for Team USA's historic men's hockey gold medal is expected to continue in the coming days, with the team likely to receive a hero's welcome upon their return to the United States.
The takeaway
The U.S. men's hockey team's triumph at the 2026 Winter Olympics marks a significant milestone, not only for the sport but for the country's broader athletic prowess. The victory, coming 46 years after the 'Miracle on Ice' in 1980, underscores the strength of USA Hockey's development programs and the team's chemistry forged through years of international competition.
