MILAN — Jack Hughes scored at 1:41 of overtime on Sunday, delivering the United States a 2-1 victory over Canada in the gold medal game of the men’s Olympic hockey tournament. The win marked the U.S. Men’s team’s first Olympic gold since the “Miracle on Ice” at the 1980 Winter Olympics.
Matt Boldy opened the scoring for the Americans in the first period, splitting the defensive pairing of Cale Makar and Devon Toews. Makar answered for Canada late in the second period, tying the game at 1-1. The score remained tied through regulation despite a dominant second period by Canada, which outshot the U.S. 14-0 during that frame.
U.S. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck proved pivotal, stopping 41 of 42 shots throughout the game, including crucial saves on breakaways by Connor McDavid and Macklin Celebrini, and denying Canada on a 5-on-3 power play. His performance was lauded by Hughes after the game. “Unbelievable game by Hellebuyck, he was our best player by a mile,” Hughes said, according to NBC.
The overtime goal came on a play where Hughes received a pass from Zach Werenski and fired a shot past Canada’s Jordan Binnington. Hughes, who had been high-sticked in the third period and reportedly lost a tooth, joins his brother Quinn, who similarly scored a key overtime goal during the 2026 Winter Olympics, according to USA Today.
The victory completed a gold medal sweep for the U.S. Hockey teams, as the American women’s team also defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime earlier in the tournament. This marks the first time the U.S. Has won both the men’s and women’s hockey gold medals at the same Olympic Games.
Canada’s captain, Sidney Crosby, did not play in the gold medal game due to injury. The U.S. Team finished the tournament with a perfect 6-0 record.
