Feb. 22, 2026 — Milan, Italy The United States men’s ice hockey team defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime Sunday at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena to claim gold in the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics final, securing their first title in the event since the Miracle on Ice in 1980 on the 46th anniversary of that victory.
Jack Hughes scored the game-winner 1:41 into 3-on-3 overtime, assisted by Zach Werenski, slipping the puck through goaltender Jordan Binnington’s five-hole after a forecheck that disrupted Nathan MacKinnon, as detailed in the NHL recap. Matt Boldy opened scoring for the U.S. at 6:00 of the first period, while Cale Makar equalized for Canada at 18:16 of the second. Connor Hellebuyck anchored the win with 41 saves, including a desperation stick save on Devon Toews in the third period.
Canada outshot the U.S. significantly in the final two periods but failed to convert multiple high-quality chances, hampered by the absence of captain Sidney Crosby due to a lower-body injury from the quarterfinals. Team USA finished the tournament 6-0, outscoring opponents 26-9, according to NBC Olympics coverage.
“Unbelievable game by Hellebuyck. He was our best player tonight by a mile. That’s just a gutsy win. That’s American hockey right there.”
— Jack Hughes, via Olympics.com
The victory evoked the 1980 upset over the Soviet Union, dubbed a “Miracle in Milan” by media. Hellebuyck earned gold medal game MVP honors for his tournament-high goals-saved above average.
Jack Hughes of Team United States celebrates after the 2-1 overtime victory over Canada. (Elsa/Getty Images via NHL.com)
Post-game celebrations featured an emotional tribute to late teammate Johnny Gaudreau, killed in 2024 with his brother Matthew. Players including Brady Tkachuk and Werenski carried Gaudreau’s jersey onto the ice for photos, having hung it in the locker room throughout the tournament.
“It’s just what he means to our entire team, what he means to USA Hockey. We miss him and Matty so dearly… We did it for him.”
— Brady Tkachuk, via NBC Olympics
Canada coach Jon Cooper praised the rivalry: “In the big picture, the real winner of this tournament was ice hockey.”
The U.S. roster, fully NHL-based like Canada’s, highlighted the Hughes brothers’ heroics—Quinn assisting Boldy’s goal and Jack delivering in OT. Finland took bronze over Slovakia.
