After a hard-fought battle, an overtime game-winning goal has given the U.S. their first men’s hockey Olympic gold medal since the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, NY.
Jack Hughes made the goal within two minutes after overtime began with an assist from Zach Werenski and on the anniversary of the fabled Miracle on Ice.
It was a physical men’s hockey Olympic final started Sunday morning against the United States without Sidney Crosby, who is out with a lower-body injury.
Six minutes into the first period, Matthew Boldy scored the U.S.’ first goal of the game on his team’s first shot.
After trailing for the first half, Canada’s Cale Makar tied it up with the second period ending one point a piece.
Each team drove for the net in power plays in the final minutes of the third period, but the game was sent to overtime with Canada and the U.S. tied at one goal apiece.
Crosby sat out Canada’s 3-2 comeback win over Finland in Friday’s semifinal after his right leg bent awkwardly on a hit in the quarterfinals against Czechia at the Milan Cortina Games.
Connor McDavid served as captain in Crosby’s absence for the second consecutive game. McDavid had several chances during overtime, but U.S. goaltender Connor Hellebuyck stopped each one.
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Hellebuyck made 41 saves during the gold medal game.
The gold medal is the United States’ third ever, with the team not having won since 1980.
It was also a reversal for the men’s American team after losing the gold to Canada in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
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Support for the team began to pour in from across the country, with Prime Minister Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre among those congratulating the team for its silver medal.
“Congratulations on a hard-fought and well-earned silver, @TeamCanada,” Carney wrote on X.
“Team Canada gave it everything, showed true grit to the final buzzer, and made all Canadians proud with their effort and heart,” Poilievre said in a post on X. “Keep your heads held high.”
Provincial premiers also weighed in, echoing similar sentiments.
“While the result wasn’t what we hoped for, you inspired a generation of young Canadians and made our country proud,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford wrote.
“What a battle,” said Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. “Silver for Canada in an absolute classic against the Americans. Proud of this team and our hockey heart.”
Crosby is already a two-time Olympic gold medallist. The Pittsburgh Penguins captain scored the famous overtime winner in Canada’s victory over the United States in 2010 and captained the country to another title in 2014.
At the Olympics, Canada’s NHL stars won Olympic gold with victories over the U.S. in 2002 and 2010, repeating as champions in 2014 against Sweden.
NHL players did not participate in the 2018 and 2022 Games.
The 38-year-old from Cole Harbour, N.S., had two goals and four assists in four games in Milan. He holds the Canadian NHL-era record of 16 career Olympic points.
Defenceman Josh Morrissey was ruled out with an upper-body injury. The Winnipeg Jets blueliner hasn’t played since the tournament opener in the preliminary round.
Canada holds a 15-game winning streak at NHL-attended games, dating back to a round-robin loss to the U.S. in 2010.
Canada also won last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off — an Olympic appetizer — with an overtime victory in the final against the Americans.
The U.S. thumped Slovakia 6-2 to advance to the gold-medal game at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.
—with files from The Canadian Press
© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
