The United States captured Olympic men’s hockey gold with a 2-1 overtime victory over Canada. Jack Hughes scored the winning goal, his fourth of the tournament.
Connor Hellebuyck starred for the Americans with 41 saves.
For viewers in the United States only:
JACK HUGHES DELIVERS AMERICA’S GOLDEN MOMENT IN OVERTIME. pic.twitter.com/4foFDOri53
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 22, 2026
For viewers in Canada only:
Team U.S.A. wins men’s hockey gold in OT pic.twitter.com/h5HMBZIEz7
— CBC Olympics (@CBCOlympics) February 22, 2026
The victory marks Team USA’s first gold medal in men’s hockey since the “Miracle on Ice” in 1980. It’s the country’s third Olympic gold in men’s hockey.
“It’s (1980 goal-scorer) Mike Eruzione and then Jack Hughes right there. That’s special. I can’t imagine what he was feeling in the box there at the end of the third. But I mean, he’s an incredible player, incredible person, and just a big-time play right there at the end.”
American captain Auston Matthews told CBC’s Kyle Bukauskas postgame.
Matt Boldy opened the scoring six minutes into the game for the United States. The Americans held a 1-0 lead until Cale Makar tied the game with under two minutes left in the second period.
Canada outshot the U.S. 33-18 during the second and third periods but couldn’t take the lead.
Sam Bennett caught Hughes with a high stick with less than seven minutes left in regulation. The play knocked some of Hughes’ teeth out and resulted in a four-minute power play that the U.S. couldn’t convert. Hughes then took a high-sticking penalty with 3:23 remaining, but Canada also failed to score on the man advantage.
The U.S. finished the tournament with a perfect penalty kill record at 17-for-17.
“We heard all the talk, that we shouldn’t be here. We were able to come here, and we had a job to do, and it was to be good penalty kill guys, faceoff guys, character guys. We took that role and we ran with it.”
Team USA forward Vincent Trocheck told the New York Post’s Mollie Walker. Trocheck’s place on the roster had been heavily debated.
Team USA brought Johnny Gaudreau’s jersey onto the ice during the celebration. Gaudreau and his brother Matthew died in August 2024 after being struck by a drunk driver while riding bicycles.
“(Gaudreau’s) been on everybody’s mind. We have his jersey in the locker room every game. So many guys on this team that grew up with him, that played with him, extremely close with him. He’s here with us in spirit.”
Matthews said.
Canada had won the previous two Olympic gold medals in tournaments featuring NHL players. The team hadn’t lost in a gold-medal game since 1994.
Team USA lost to Canada in the championship game of the 4 Nations Face-Off last year.
The U.S. women’s hockey team also beat Canada to win gold Thursday.
