US tops Canada 2–1 in OT for 1st Olympic men’s hockey gold since 1980
USA's players celebrate after winning the men's gold medal ice hockey match between Canada and USA at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan, on February 22, 2026. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA
MILAN - The United States defeated Canada 2–1 in overtime to capture its first Olympic men’s hockey gold medal since the "Miracle on Ice" team triumphed in 1980.
Jack Hughes scored the winning goal just 1 minute, 41 seconds into the first extra period.
USA hockey
By the numbers:
It is the third Olympic title in men’s hockey for the U.S.
The backstory:
The United States has won the Olympic gold medal two other times in men’s hockey, both times at home — in the 1960 Squaw Valley Olympics and the "Miracle on Ice" in the 1980 Lake Placid Games.
Side note:
The American women beat Canada 2-1 in overtime on Thursday for the other hockey gold.
2026 Winter Olympics
What's next:
The win happened on the final day of the Milan Cortina Olympics.
The day will end with the closing ceremony, which will celebrate Italian music and dance, both classic and contemporary, headlining internationally acclaimed ballet dancer Roberto Bolle along with popular Italian singer Achille Lauro and DJ Gaby Ponte.
Jack Hughes teeth
Meanwhile:
Jack Hughes lost some teeth before he won Olympic gold for the U.S. He took a stick to the mouth from Sam Bennett in the third period.
The 24-year-old Hughes is a forward for the New Jersey Devils in the NHL. He scored past Canadian goalie Jordan Binnington after a little more than 1 1/2 minutes of extra time.
The Source: Information in this article was taken from the game results on Feb. 22, 2026, as reported on by The Associated Press. Background information was also taken from The Associated Press.