Milano Cortina 2026 & Olympic Hockey: News & Updates | IIHF
Jack Hughes scored the overtime goal as Team USA defeated Canada 2-1 in the gold medal game of the men’s ice hockey tournament at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic Winter Games on Sunday, February 22nd, marking the 46th anniversary of the “Miracle on Ice.”
The victory, secured in 3-on-3 play, delivered Team USA its first Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey since 1980 and only its third following wins in 1960 and 1980. Hughes, reflecting on the win, stated, “This is all about our country. I love the USA, I love our teammates. … I’m so proud to be American today.”
The gold medal game was a tightly contested affair, with Canada seeking its first Olympic title since 2014 – the last Games to feature NHL players. Canada ultimately settled for silver, their fifth in Olympic men’s hockey. The U.S. Now holds a 2-4 all-time record against Canada in Olympic matchups when NHL players are eligible to participate, with their only prior win coming in group play at the 2010 Vancouver Games.
The American triumph came on the heels of a dominant performance by U.S. Teams across the hockey disciplines at the Milan Cortina Games. The U.S. Women’s team also secured gold against Canada, continuing a long-standing rivalry between the two nations. The United States completed a golden sweep of the hockey events at the Milano Cortina 2026 Games, adding a Paralympic gold medal in Para ice hockey on March 15th with a 6-2 victory over Canada.
Jack Wallace led the U.S. Para ice hockey team with a hat trick and an assist in the Paralympic final, while Josh Pauls became the only player to win five Paralympic gold medals in the sport. The U.S. Para ice hockey team’s victory marked their fifth consecutive Paralympic title, surpassing previous four-peat achievements by Canadian and Soviet men’s Olympic teams. This achievement also made the U.S. The first nation to sweep all three Paralympic and Olympic hockey tournaments at a single Games.
The 2026 Olympic hockey tournaments were notable for the return of NHL players after a period of absence, and the emergence of novel talent. The men’s tournament featured the debut of Macklin Celebrini, while the women’s tournament saw veteran Hilary Knight compete in what was her final Olympic game.
As of March 22nd, the official medal standings present the United States leading in overall medals won at the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.