MILAN — This was not merely a miracle; it was a display of pure wizardry.
Exactly four-and-a-half decades after an underdog team of amateurs shocked the dominant Soviet Union to claim Olympic gold, the American men’s ice hockey squad achieved another monumental triumph. On Sunday, the U.S. defeated its enduring rival, Canada, in a showdown between hockey titans, securing a 2-1 overtime win for their nation’s initial Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey since the legendary 1980 “Miracle on Ice.”
Jack Hughes netted the game-winning goal, firing a powerful shot beyond Jordan Binnington’s reach in under three minutes of the 3-on-3 extra period.
The U.S. side only managed to push the game into overtime due to Connor Hellebuyck’s remarkable resilience against the relentless offensive onslaught from Canada’s elite forward lines. Hellebuyck executed a series of astounding saves amidst sustained Canadian attacks, blocking 41 out of 42 shots directed his way.
Securing the gold medal represented the realization of a lifelong aspiration for the American athletes. Achieving this triumph by overcoming Canada provided an even greater sense of gratification and emotional release.
During crucial junctures, Canada had historically dominated this competitive rivalry ever since National Hockey League athletes started competing in the Olympics in 1998. Canadian teams emerged victorious in gold-medal contests against the U.S. in both the 2002 and 2010 Olympic Games and delivered a shutout against the Americans in the 2014 semifinals. While the U.S. did secure a victory over Canada during the round-robin stage of last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off, the Americans ultimately fell short in significant matchups once more.
A definitive contest for supremacy between the United States and Canada has consistently been considered the most captivating potential pairing at these Olympic Games, yet neither dominant hockey nation enjoyed an effortless path to the championship game. The U.S. required a sudden-death winning goal from Quinn Hughes to advance past Sweden in the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Canada staged comebacks to erase third-period disadvantages against Czechia in the quarter-finals and Finland in the semi-finals.
This confrontation established the gold-medal contest that ice hockey enthusiasts globally had anticipated for twelve years at the Olympics. Establishments serving alcoholic beverages began operations prior to dawn in cities like New York, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, and various other fervent hockey communities. Supporters throughout the U.S. viewed the film “Miracle” on Saturday evening to build excitement, set early morning alarms, and subsequently convened over morning brews and savory cocktails.
The atmosphere was even more celebratory on the European continent. Milan’s public transportation system was filled with Canada and U.S. hockey sweaters from all historical periods, featuring names like Eruzione, Gretzky, McDavid, and Tkachuk. Rhythmic shouts of “U-S-A” and “Go Canada” echoed as the train sped towards the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. A particularly bold supporter, wearing a USA baseball cap, humorously attempted to initiate a chant referencing the “51st state.” Being vastly outnumbered by Canadian fans, his attempt was swiftly silenced.
The blend of swiftness, expertise, and robust play exhibited fully met the anticipations set before the game began, immediately after the puck was put into play. Exclamations of admiration and excitement emanated continuously from supporters of both teams as the American and Canadian players fashioned opportunities to score.
It was the American contingent of spectators who were first given cause to celebrate. In the sixth minute of the initial period, Matt Boldy registered a goal, which arose from both his exceptional individual puck control and lapses in defensive attention.
With Cale Makar and Devon Toews positioned between him and Canada’s goal, Boldy skillfully lofted the puck over their sticks, then glided unimpeded directly through two of the National Hockey League’s premier defenders. Following this, he faked out a surprised Binnington, successfully scoring past the Canadian netminder with a backhand shot.
The U.S. team endured persistent Canadian pressure for the majority of the second period, successfully neutralizing a 5-on-3 power play that extended for 93 seconds. Hellebuyck executed multiple crucial saves from short distances, even thwarting Connor McDavid, the Olympics’ top points earner, during a solo rush.
Subsequently, precisely when the second period appeared to be drawing to a close as a sequence of missed chances for Canada, Makar outmaneuvered Hellebuyck with a formidable wrist shot originating from the right faceoff dot. Makar’s shot was impeccably executed, soaring narrowly above Hellebuyck’s right leg pad and just beneath his blocker.
This development established the context for an intense third period, with the Canadian squad pressing vigorously for a decisive goal and the Americans striving desperately to resist their advances sufficiently to create an opening for an extraordinary play.
During the initial moments of the third period, Hellebuyck deprived Toews of a goal in the nick of time, extending his stick behind his body to prevent the Canadian defenseman’s close-range attempt from entering the net. Shortly thereafter, Macklin Celebrini found himself on an unobstructed breakaway, but Hellebuyck turned him away with a pad deflection.
Hellebuyck successfully endured the fierce assault.
Hughes provided a truly memorable overtime goal.
And with this, the American pursuit for gold has concluded.
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Really, who needs a full set of teeth?
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Following their gold medal triumph, Team USA paid tribute to the memory of Johnny Gaudreau. (Image courtesy of Peter Kneffel/picture alliance via Getty Images)
(picture alliance via Getty Images)
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Ian Casselberry
Players from the USA team commemorate their victory in the men’s ice hockey gold medal game against Canada during the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan. (Image credit: Alexander NEMENOV / AFP via Getty Images)
(ALEXANDER NEMENOV via Getty Images)
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Ian Casselberry
Jack Hughes secured the gold medal for the U.S. squad, scoring 1 minute and 40 seconds into the extra period. Hughes received a pass delivered to the center from Zach Werenski, then propelled it beyond Jordan Binnington for the deciding goal.
The United States earns gold for the initial time since the legendary 1980 “Miracle on Ice” roster.
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Ian Casselberry
Connor Hellebuyck blocked 41 attempts on goal from Canada during Team USA’s victory against Canada in the men’s ice hockey gold medal final.
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Ian Casselberry
Jack Hughes initiated the game-winning scoring chance with a poke check in the U.S. defensive zone, and Zach Werenski rapidly advanced the puck up the ice.
Collecting it near the left corner, he located an unmarked Hughes with a pass to the middle. Hughes then sent it speeding past Jordan Binnington, securing Team USA’s inaugural men’s ice hockey gold in 46 years.
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Ian Casselberry
Quinn Hughes had a chance to score a one-timer from the left flank for the U.S. victory, but Canadian netminder Jordan Binnington executed a glove stop.
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Ian Casselberry
Considering the shot count, one might understandably question how the match remains deadlocked at 1-1, heading into overtime. Canada had accumulated 41 shots compared to the USA’s 26 after regulation play.
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Jay Busbee
MILAN — Universal exhaustion pervades. Three periods of incredibly high-stakes, any-moment-disaster gold medal hockey have left the spectators at the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena feeling utterly drained by the intensity.
And now, the gold medal will be decided by 3-on-3 play, a scenario that certainly won’t help anyone’s hypertension. Hold on tight, everyone!
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Ian Casselberry
What else would you expect but overtime for the men’s ice hockey gold medal contest at the 2026 Winter Olympics? The American and Canadian teams will proceed to an additional period, knotted at 1-1 after regulation. According to Olympic regulations, the two squads will compete in a 3-on-3 format to determine the victor. The Milan Cortina Games are set to extend for a short while longer!
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Ian Casselberry
Canada possessed a scoring chance during their power play when Macklin Celebrini gained control of the puck directly in front of the goal. Nevertheless, his shot missed wide of Connor Hellebuyck, and the U.S. successfully defended against Canada’s sixty-second power play advantage.
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Ian Casselberry
Subsequent to being struck by a high stick, Jack Hughes was penalized for high-sticking against Bo Horvat. Consequently, we will witness 4-on-4 hockey for 49 seconds, with 3 minutes and 20 seconds left in the third period.
Canada will gain a 5-on-4 power play once Sam Bennett’s penalty concludes.
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Ian Casselberry
Sam Bennett received a four-minute double-minor infraction for committing a high-sticking offense against Jack Hughes behind the American goal. The U.S. team will maintain a power play advantage for almost the entirety of the remaining third period.
Given that Hughes was bleeding from his mouth (with some speculating about lost teeth), the officials were compelled to issue that penalty.
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Ian Casselberry
Canadian supporters are likely to protest that the U.S. ought to have been penalized for having too many players on the ice during a shift change. An NBC replay indicated that Team USA had seven skaters on the ice while Jack Hughes was managing the puck along the rink’s perimeter.
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Ian Casselberry
The right side of the net seems jinxed for Canada. Nathan MacKinnon failed to score on an open net with Connor Hellebuyck out of position, following Devon Toews’ inability to get a shot past the American goaltender earlier in the same period.
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Ian Casselberry
Connor Hellebuyck thwarted another scoring opportunity for Canada, stopping Macklin Celebrini during a breakaway attempt.
Canada holds an 8-1 advantage in shots seven minutes into the third period.
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Ian Casselberry
Devon Toews of Canada had an excellent opportunity to score in front of the U.S. goal, with the right side completely uncovered after Connor Hellebuyck blocked a shot from Mitch Marner.
Nonetheless, Hellebuyck managed to get just enough of his leg pad on Toews’ attempt to prevent a goal. If Toews had maintained the puck’s low trajectory instead of attempting to lift it, Canada might have gained the lead.
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Ian Casselberry
Canada aggressively assaulted American goaltender Connor Hellebuyck throughout the second period, resulting in a 28-16 lead in shots as they entered the third period.
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Ian Casselberry
Brock Faber almost restored Team USA’s lead just before the conclusion of the second period, striking the goalpost with his shot.
As the period drew to a close, Brad Marchand and Matt Boldy engaged in a confrontation in front of the U.S. bench. Additionally, the USA’s Charlie McAvoy and Vincent Trocheck had a skirmish with Canada’s Drew Doughty and Sam Bennett. With the score deadlocked at 1-1, this ensuing third period promises to be unforgettable.
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Jay Busbee
MILAN — Canada exhibited considerably more assertiveness than the United States during this period, outshooting the Americans 19-8, and this strategy eventually yielded results 18 minutes and 16 seconds into the period when Makar fired a precise shot past Hellebuyck.
-Preceding this, the penalty kill represented a significant swing in momentum. Canada enjoyed a 5-on-3 advantage for one minute and 42 seconds and squandered an exceptional – if you’ll excuse the wordplay – opportunity.
-Hellebuyck’s neutralization of McDavid’s breakaway also dampened the enthusiasm of the sizable Canadian supporters present.
-The audience remained almost entirely quiet for the concluding 30 seconds of the power play, with the palpable tension and apprehension nearly visible.
-As an aside, the organist’s choice to play classic tunes such as “Jeremiah Was A Bullfrog” occasionally lent the event the atmosphere of a midweek, discounted ticket game in late autumn.
-Highly pertinent: Now we have a genuine contest.
