MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 22: Gold medalists, Team United States, pose for a team photo during the medal ceremony following the Men's Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Mil …
It seemed inevitable that it would come down to USA and Canada.
When NHL players were back at the Games, the two teams loaded with talent were expected to be in the Gold medal game in Milan.
It was inevitable, and it didn’t disappoint.
Knotted in a power struggle that needed overtime, the thrilling 3-on-3 extra frame ended when Jack Hughes slipped one by Jordan Binnington.
Pandemonium ensued.
The Americans are back on top.
Team USA wins gold for the first time since the 1980s "Miracle on Ice." Now, there's a new gold standard for USA Hockey.
How It Happened:
Canada’s relentless offensive pressure was matched only by the Canadians’ talent, even if Canada was playing without Sidney Crosby.
A line of Connor McDavid, Macklin Celebrini and Nathan MacKinnon seemed just unfair. That’s what Team USA had to stare down in the biggest moments.
What helped was Matt Boldy with a first-period goal to give the Americans a 1-0 lead and put the Canadians on their heels early on.
Team USA had Connor Hellebuyck step up. The Michigander and present-day Winnipeg Jet stood on his head, making critical saves as the Americans killed a 5-on-3 penalty where it seemed inevitable that Canada would net a goal.
Hellebuyck made two breakaway saves, stopping McDavid and Celebrini, to stave off Canada.
Still, as good as Hellebuyck was for the Americans, it was only a matter of time before Canada broke through. They did in the second period with a goal by Cale Makar, who beat Hellebuyck.
Brock Nelson nearly gave USA a 2-1 advantage late in the second period, but his shot banged off both goal posts and safely away.
That set up a wild third period.
Canada kept its relentless pressure. MacKinnon, somehow, missed a wide-open net. Team USA had a few of its own chances, but those came too few and far between. Canada, even tied 1-1, felt like it had control of this game.
Team USA caught a break when the referees didn’t call a too-many-men penalty on the Americans. The American caught their own break when the referees whistled Sam Bennett for a four-minute double minor high-sticking penalty with 6:34 left in the third.
USA’s Jack Hughes was called for a high stick with 3:23 left, meaning 49 seconds of 4-on-4 play. But, both teams killed the penalties to send the game into OT.
Hughes redeemed himself with a Golden winning goal.
For a moment, it looked like Canada would have a 2-on-1 advantage, but the puck floated into American control. Hughes took the puck, and beat Binnington through the five-hole.
Sixteen years after Crosby netted the overtime in Vancouver for one of the most iconic moments in Canadian hockey lore, Hughes made his own iconic moment in American hockey history.
"That’s just a ballsy, gutsy win. That's American hockey right there," OT hero Jack Hughes told NBC after the game. "I can't even believe this."
MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 22: Jack Hughes #86 of Team United States celebrates after scoring the game winning goal to defeat Canada 2-1 during the Men's Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter O …
The backstory:
Team USA had one of the most iconic men's hockey moments in Olympic history with its Gold Medal in Lake Placid in 1980.
Herb Brooks coached his team to a stunning upset over the Soviet Union, prompting Al Michaels' legendary call of "Do you believe in Miracles? Yes!"
Since then, Team USA has been on the outside looking in at the Games in men's hockey.
The Americans hadn't medaled in men's ice hockey since 2010 when Canada stunned USA with Crosby's goal.
Sunday morning's result wasn't exactly a miracle, though.
USA Hockey has been on the rise. The USA Hockey program won Gold at IIHF Men’s Ice Hockey World Championship in 2025, its first Gold at the world championships since 1933.
With NHL players back on the ice in Milan – the first Games with professional men's hockey players since the Sochi Games in 2014 – USA had its most talented team in over a decade at the Olympics.
Hughes' goal did more than just win Gold. It represented a generation of home-grown American players who have risen to the top of the sport.
Team USA needed a spark to officially take the top spot. Jack Hughes' OT goal provided that moment.
"In this tournament, he showed he's one of the best players in the world — clearly," Quinn Hughes, Jack's brother and a fellow Team USA Gold medalist, said according to the Associated Press.