They Did It Again!” America Shocks Hockey World, Crushes Canada in Final Seconds to Win First Gold Since 1980

For the first time since the 1980 Miracle on Ice, the U.S. men’s hockey team is golden again.

Playing against their heated rivals Canada in the 2026 Winter Olympics gold medal game, Team USA came up big, defeating their northern neighbors 2-1 on Sunday, Feb. 22 — exactly 46 years after the U.S. last became champions.

Team USA star Jack Hughes had the golden goal for the U.S. with the overtime winner, after a tightly-fought game between the two rivals. As he sunk the puck behind Canada’s goalie Jordan Binnington, he threw up his arms in celebration as the rest of the U.S. flew off the benches to join him on the ice.

Zach Werenski (L) throws his gloves in the air after Jack Hughes (R) scores the golden goal.JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP via Getty

“I’m just proud, obviously,” his brother and teammate Quinn Hughes told Eurosport moments after the win. “He’s gone through a lot with two shoulder surgeries and he just loves the game more than anyone and all he wants to do is be healthy and play. And I think in this tournament he showed he’s one of the best players in the world, clearly.”

From the start at Milan’s Santagiulia Arena, the teams wasted no time getting into the game, with the U.S. immediately peppering Binnington with shots. Canada then took over, getting a few good looks, but it was U.S. forward Matt Boldy who kicked off the scoring, breezing through two defenders to get the puck past Binnington six minutes into the first period.

Canada came out firing to start the second period, and had a golden opportunity to tie the game when the U.S. committed two penalties, giving Canada a 5-on-3 man advantage. But the U.S.’s defense dominated, along with goalie Connor Hellebuyck, keeping the score at 1-0 — until the last two minutes of the period, when defenseman Cale Makar scored to tie the game.

Jack Hughes plays in the 2026 Winter Olympics.Andrea Branca/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty 

Canada once again dominated through the third period, nearly scoring multiple times if not for Hellebuyck’s magic in net. The U.S. looked to take the lead during a four-minute power play — sparked by a high stick to Jack’s mouth that took out several of his teeth — but couldn’t find the net, and a push from Canada wasn’t enough to finish the game in regulation.

In overtime, it took the U.S. a few miracle saves before Hughes sealed the win, just 1:41 into the extra period.

With NHL players participating in the Winter Olympics for the first time in 12 years, it was the showdown everyone wanted, and Canadian and American fans packed Santagiulia for a raucous atmosphere.

“It’s best on best. It’s what every American and Canadian grows up watching, grows up caring about,” forward Matthew Tkachuk said Friday after winning their semifinal to make the gold medal game. “This is the pinnacle of the sport. This is as good as it gets, and a rivalry that’s as good as it gets. So there will be not one TV without this game on in the United States.”

To learn more about all the Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, come to people.com to check out ongoing coverage before, during and after the games. Watch the Milan Cortina Olympics and Paralympics, beginning Feb. 6, on NBC and Peacock.