Feb. 22, 2026 — Milan-Cortina, Italy Jack Hughes scored the game-winning goal 1:41 into overtime as Team USA defeated Canada 2-1 to claim the men’s ice hockey gold medal at the Winter Olympics, marking the Americans’ first title in the event since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice.”
The thrilling gold-medal final, recapped by the NHL, capped an undefeated tournament run for the U.S. (4-2-0-0). Hughes’ decisive tally, captured from multiple angles, sent the American bench into celebration and made history as the first Olympic Games in which the U.S. swept gold in both men’s and women’s hockey.
During post-game festivities, Team USA honored late player Johnny Gaudreau by holding up his jersey, a poignant tribute amid the jubilation.
The victory drew immediate high-profile attention. President Trump invited the team to his State of the Union address, as reported by Fox News and The Guardian. FBI Director Kash Patel also joined locker-room celebrations in Milan.
Major outlets including ESPN, CNN, and the NCAA highlighted the game’s intensity and historical significance, with social media erupting in patriotic fervor. Posts from @sportingnews on the sweep garnered 85,000 likes, while @FoxNews shared Hughes’ post-win message reaching 539,000 views.
