US Wins First Olympic Ice Hockey Gold
Last update: February 23, 2026
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This is the country's first men's ice hockey gold in 46 years....
The United States won the men's Olympic ice hockey gold medal for the first time in 46 years on Sunday, beating Canada 2-1 after overtime in a tense final at the Milan-Cortina Games.
Jack Hughes scored 1 minute 41 seconds into the three-on-three overtime to seal the victory and hand the Americans their first Olympic title since the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" triumph over the Soviet Union in Lake Placid.
Hughes struck minutes after losing several front teeth following a high stick in the third period, denying Canada a record-extending 10th Olympic gold and its first since the 2014 Sochi Games.
The final at the Santagiulia Arena was played against the backdrop of strained political ties between the neighbours, with U.S. President Donald Trump praising the team after the win.
"Congratulations to our great U.S.A. Ice Hockey team. THEY WON THE GOLD. WOW!" Trump wrote on Truth Social, while the White House account on X posted an image of a bald eagle swooping on a Canada goose.
The Americans were booed during warm-ups by a crowd that appeared largely Canadian, but chants of "USA, USA" grew louder when Matt Boldy gave them a 1-0 lead in the first period, weaving past two defenders before beating goaltender Jordan Binnington.
"I was just trying to find a way to get up the middle. Sometimes you get a good bounce and the puck follows you. It was a fortunate bounce for sure," Boldy said.
U.S. goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who stopped the first 24 shots he faced, was beaten in the second period by Cale Makar's wrist shot that squeezed over his pad and into the net.
The United States nearly restored their lead late in the second period when Brock Faber's slap shot struck both posts but stayed out.
Hughes was left bloodied in the third period after taking a high stick from Canada's Sam Bennett, but he had the final say in overtime, sparking jubilant celebrations among U.S. players and supporters.
U.S. coach Mike Sullivan credited Hellebuyck, who made 41 saves, as the difference between the two evenly matched teams packed with National Hockey League talent.
"Connor was a hero tonight for our team, without a doubt," Sullivan said. "Just a high-stakes player in a high-stakes environment. I think that's when players build their legacy and Connor certainly did that tonight."
"It's crazy, I came into this game, I won the biggest in my career and really wasn't that nervous," Hellebuyck said. "The second I woke up this morning, I felt like I was doing everything right."
Sullivan said the team "was built with personality in mind".
"There are whisky drinkers and milk drinkers, and we got a lot of whisky drinkers on this team," he said.
Canada coach Jon Cooper said his side had missed an opportunity.
"Some days it's not meant to be. And unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be today."
After the final whistle, U.S. players skated with a jersey bearing the name Gaudreau and the number 13 in tribute to former NHL player Johnny Gaudreau, who was killed along with his brother in August 2024.
Finland, champions at the Beijing Games four years ago, claimed bronze on Saturday with a 6-1 win over Slovakia.
