USA Defeats Canada in Overtime, Securing First Olympic Men’s Hockey Gold Since 1980
Updated (10 articles)
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Image: Newsweek8 Feb 2002: Captain Mike Eruzione and other members of the 1980 gold medal-winning USA men’s hockey team hold up the torch before lighting the Olympic flame at the Opening Ceremony of the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games at the Rice-Eccles Olympic Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images Source Full size -
Image: NewsweekGold medalists Quinn Hughes #43 and Jack Hughes #86 of Team United States celebrate after the Men’s Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) Source Full size -
Image: Newsweek8 Feb 2002: Captain Mike Eruzione and other members of the 1980 gold medal-winning USA men’s hockey team hold up the torch before lighting the Olympic flame at the Opening Ceremony of the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games at the Rice-Eccles Olympic Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images Source Full size
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Image: NewsweekGold medalists Quinn Hughes #43 and Jack Hughes #86 of Team United States celebrate after the Men’s Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) Source Full size
Jack Hughes Scores Overtime Winner After Dental Injury Jack Hughes netted the decisive goal 1:41 into three‑on‑three overtime on Feb. 22 in Milan‑Cortina, giving the United States a 2‑1 win over Canada; a high‑stick knocked out one of his front teeth, yet he remained on the ice to celebrate the moment [1][3][5][8]. The overtime tally was set up by defenseman Zach Werenski, and Jordan Binnington faced the winning attempt [1][5]. The game concluded the tournament’s first sudden‑death three‑on‑three period [8].
Connor Hellebuyck Posts 41 Saves, Tournament‑Leading Performance Goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck stopped 41 of 42 Canadian shots, finishing the final with a 97.6% save rate and ending the tournament with 131 saves on 137 attempts [1][5][8][7]. Teammates likened his performance to 1980 legend Jimmy Craig, and his saves were highlighted as the turning point in the third period [1][8]. Hellebuyck’s display earned MVP‑level praise from veterans and analysts [5][7].
First U.S. Men’s Hockey Gold in 46 Years and First Abroad The victory ends a 46‑year gold‑medal drought, the longest in U.S. men’s hockey history, and marks the first Olympic men’s title earned outside American soil [1][5][8][2]. The win echoes the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” and prompted former captain Mike Eruzione to post a celebratory message linking the two eras [1][2]. It also represents the third overall U.S. men’s hockey gold, following 1960 and 1980, and the first since the NHL’s return to the Games after a 12‑year hiatus [5][8][2].
Roster Built Around NTDP Pipeline Earns Coach Praise Coach Mike Sullivan and GM Bill Guerin constructed a 23‑player roster largely from the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, emphasizing depth and versatility that silenced earlier criticism [3][4][6][7]. The strategy paid off as the line‑up delivered balanced scoring and defensive stability throughout the tournament [3][6]. Players honored late teammate Johnny Gaudreau by wearing his No. 13 jersey, a tribute highlighted in multiple post‑game reports [3][4][7].
U.S. Finishes Second in Medal Table as NHL Returns Team USA closed the Milan‑Cortina Games with 33 medals—12 gold, 12 silver, nine bronze—ranking second overall behind Norway’s 41 medals [2][6]. The hockey gold contributed to the United States’ record‑tying 11th gold in a single Winter Olympics, matching the 2002 benchmark [6][5]. The tournament also marked the first Olympic participation of active NHL stars such as Hughes and Hellebuyck since 2014, raising the competition level and drawing extensive media attention [5][8].
Sources
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1.
Newsweek: USA Men’s Hockey Wins First Olympic Gold Since 1980: Details the 2‑1 overtime victory, Jack Hughes’ winner, Connor Hellebuyck’s 41 saves, and Mike Eruzione’s celebratory tweet .
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2.
Newsweek: USA Wins First Men’s Hockey Gold Since 1980, Fans React: Highlights the overtime win, mixed fan reactions, and the United States’ second‑place finish in the overall medal table .
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3.
King5: Jack Hughes’ Overtime Goal Gives USA First Men’s Olympic Hockey Gold Since 1980: Adds Hughes’ dental injury, tribute to Johnny Gaudreau, and Sidney Crosby’s absence .
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4.
King5: Hughes nets overtime winner as U.S. claims first men’s Olympic hockey gold since 1980: Mirrors the previous King5 report with emphasis on roster strategy and Crosby’s injury .
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5.
AP: U.S. Men’s Hockey Wins First Olympic Gold in 46 Years: Notes the overseas nature of the gold, NHL players’ return, and veteran comments comparing Hellebuyck to Jimmy Craig .
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King5: USA caps record‑breaking Winter Games with 33 medals, second overall: Places the hockey gold within the broader U.S. medal haul and mentions other golds like mixed aerials .
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7.
King5: USA clinches men’s hockey gold, beating Canada 2‑1 in overtime: Provides game flow details, three‑on‑three overtime rules, and the Gaudreau tribute .
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8.
BBC: U.S. Men’s Ice Hockey Wins First Olympic Gold in 46 Years: Covers the overtime winner, Hellebuyck’s key saves, Crosby’s injury, and the White House’s symbolic eagle tweet .
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AP: U.S. and Canada Set for Olympic Hockey Gold Showdown Sunday: Pre‑game preview with player quotes, statistical comparisons, and uncertainty over Crosby’s participation .
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10.
BBC: Canada‑USA Men’s Ice Hockey Final Sets Up Historic Olympic Showdown: Describes the final’s stakes, lineup strengths, arena concerns, and political overtones involving former President Trump .
Videos (1)
Timeline
Feb 1980 – The United States wins its first men’s Olympic ice‑hockey gold in the “Miracle on Ice,” defeating the Soviet Union and establishing a historic benchmark for future U.S. teams [1].
Feb 2014 – NHL players last appear at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, ending a 12‑year absence of professional talent from the Games [5].
2025 – A Four Nations match erupts into three fights within the first nine seconds, intensifying U.S.–Canada rivalry ahead of the 2026 showdown [2].
Early 2026 – Active NHL stars return to the Olympics for the first time since 2014, raising the competition level and prompting officials to resolve ice‑quality concerns at the unfinished Milano Santagiulia arena [2].
Feb 20, 2026 – Canada and the United States prepare to meet in the men’s final at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, with Canada chasing a historic 10th gold and the U.S. seeking its first since 1980; arena ice‑quality doubts are cleared [2].
Feb 20, 2026 – Canada rallies from a 2‑0 deficit to beat Finland 3‑2 in the semifinal with a last‑second goal, while captain Sidney Crosby remains doubtful after a knee injury and the squad battles a stomach‑bug outbreak [2].
Feb 20, 2026 – President Donald Trump’s possible attendance is noted, adding a “political cauldron” to the gold‑medal showdown and heightening U.S.–Canada tensions [2].
Feb 21, 2026 – The United States enters the final undefeated, outscoring opponents 24‑8 and outshooting them 201‑124; Canada posts a 27‑8 goal differential and a 202‑106 shooting advantage, both teams fielding numerous NHL stars [6].
Feb 21, 2026 – The U.S. survives a late‑game comeback by Sweden in the quarterfinal, winning in overtime after surrendering a lead, demonstrating resilience en route to the final [6].
Feb 22, 2026 – Jack Hughes scores the overtime winner 101 seconds into three‑on‑three play, giving the United States a 2‑1 victory over Canada and ending a 46‑year gold‑medal drought; Hughes continues after a high‑stick knocks out his front teeth [1][7].
Feb 22, 2026 – Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck makes 41 saves, stopping 41 of 42 Canadian shots and finishing the tournament with 131 saves on 137 shots, a performance described as “unreal” [1].
Feb 22, 2026 – Players honor late teammate Johnny Gaudreau by carrying his No. 13 jersey around the ice, with his family in attendance during the ceremony [9].
Feb 22, 2026 – Canada competes without injured captain Sidney Crosby, who missed the quarterfinal, semifinal, and final after a knee injury [7].
Feb 22, 2026 – The White House X account posts an eagle attacking a Canada goose image in reply to Justin Trudeau; FBI director Kash Patel visits the locker room and President Trump sends a congratulatory video [1].
Feb 23, 2026 – 1980 captain Mike Eruzione posts a celebratory message on X, linking the historic “Miracle on Ice” to the 2026 triumph [3].
Feb 23, 2026 – Defenseman Charlie McAvoy says Hellebuyck “channeled his Jimmy Craig tonight,” drawing a direct line to the 1980 goaltending hero [3].
Feb 23, 2026 – Veteran forward Brock Nelson declares the overtime goal “a story kids will try to emulate,” underscoring the cultural impact of the win [5].
Feb 24, 2026 – The United States finishes second overall in the medal table with 33 medals (12 gold, 12 silver, 9 bronze), behind Norway’s 41 medals [8][4].
Feb 24, 2026 – Norway leads the medal count with 41 medals (18 gold, 12 silver, 9 bronze) [4].
Feb 24, 2026 – The U.S. records its 11th gold medal of the Games in mixed aerials (Kaila Kuhn, Connor Curran, Chris Lillis), surpassing the previous record set at Salt Lake City 2002 [8].
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