Feb. 22, 2026 — Milano Cortina, Italy — Jack Hughes scored 1:41 into 3-on-3 overtime to lead the United States men’s ice hockey team to a 2-1 victory over Canada in the gold medal final at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, securing the Americans’ first title in the event since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice”, exactly 46 years prior.
Matt Boldy gave the U.S. a 1-0 lead at 6:00 of the first period with a backhand deke past goalie Jordan Binnington. Cale Makar tied it at 18:16 of the second for Canada, which outshot the U.S. 19-8 in the frame. No goals came in the third despite Canada’s pressure, setting up overtime where Zach Werenski stole the puck from Nathan MacKinnon and fed Hughes for the winner through Binnington’s five-hole, with Connor Hellebuyck earning the second assist.
Hellebuyck, named the tournament’s best goaltender, stopped 41 of 42 shots, including a breakaway denial of Connor McDavid and a behind-the-back stick save on Devon Toews early in the third. The U.S. went a perfect 18-for-18 on the penalty kill, surviving a 93-second 5-on-3 in the second period.
Hughes, who lost two teeth earlier from a high stick by Sam Bennett, laughed it off postgame.
“I looked on the ice and saw my teeth like, ‘Here we go again,’ … I’m from the best country in the world. We’ve got great dentists there, too. So I’m lucky I’m American, and they’re gonna fix me right up,” Hughes said.
“It’s not the first stick save of my career, but it is the biggest stick save of my career,” Hellebuyck said of his Toews stop.
U.S. coach Mike Sullivan praised the team’s grit:
“We were loaded with personality, up and down our line … Jack had a terrific tournament. He’s a high stakes player,” per Olympics.com coverage.
Quinn Hughes, Jack’s brother, called him “a freaking gamer” in an ESPN report.
The win ended a 46-year drought and avenged recent losses to Canada, including last year’s Four Nations final. Canada coach Jon Cooper lauded the matchup as a win for hockey despite the silver medal.
The victory sparked buzz online, including AFP’s X post on the final score.
