Team USA Wins Olympic Hockey Gold | Canada Overtime Thriller 2026
MILAN — Jack Hughes scored at 1:41 of overtime Sunday, delivering a 2-1 victory for the United States over Canada in the gold medal game of the men’s hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.
The goal, a wrist shot through the five-hole of Canadian goaltender Jordan Binnington following a pass from Zach Werenski, secured the Americans’ first Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey since the “Miracle on Ice” at the 1980 Winter Games in Lake Placid. The win came on the 46th anniversary of that historic upset against the Soviet Union.
Matt Boldy opened the scoring for the United States 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 and setting the stage for a tense third period and overtime.
U.S. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was instrumental in the victory, stopping 41 of 42 shots, including several key saves in the third period when Canada dominated play. He denied Toews on a wide-open net and stopped Macklin Celebrini on a breakaway, according to ESPN reporting.
Hughes, who appeared to lose a tooth after being high-sticked during the third period, joins his brother Quinn, who also scored a key overtime goal during the 2026 Winter Olympics, in achieving Olympic success. “I can’t even believe this,” Hughes told NBC. “I mean, it’s such an unbelievable game, USA-Canada. That’s such a good game. They have so many great players. We’re a great team.”
The win completed a gold medal sweep for the United States in hockey at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, as the U.S. Women’s team also defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime earlier in the tournament.
Canada was playing without its captain, Sidney Crosby, who was sidelined with an injury. Jordan Binnington finished with 25 saves in the loss.
The United States had not lost an Olympic game involving NHL players since the 2010 Vancouver Games, when the Americans defeated the Canadians in round-robin play. Canada got revenge in overtime of that tournament, winning on a Golden Goal by Sidney Crosby.