Hughes scores in overtime as US beats Canada for first men’s hockey gold at the Olympics since 1980

The United States captured its first Olympic men’s hockey gold medal in 46 years on Sunday, defeating Canada 2-1 in a thrilling overtime final at the Milan Cortina Olympics. Jack Hughes scored the golden goal just 1:41 into the extra period, cementing America’s place atop the hockey world for the first time since the legendary “Miracle on Ice” in 1980.

Unlike that historic upset by college amateurs over the Soviet Union, this victory came from a polished team of NHL professionals who dominated throughout the tournament. The Americans went undefeated, though they entered the gold medal match as underdogs against a stacked Canadian roster.

“This is all about our country right now,” said Hughes, who lost at least one front tooth from a high stick during the game. “I love the U.S.A. I love my teammates. It’s unbelievable. The USA Hockey brotherhood is so strong.”

The decisive moment came early in three-on-three overtime when defenseman Zach Werenski stripped the puck from Canadian star Nathan MacKinnon and found Hughes streaking toward the net. Hughes fired past Canadian goaltender Jordan Binnington, setting off a wild celebration as the devastated Canadians watched from their bench.

Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck proved to be the Americans’ most valuable player, stopping 41 of 42 shots as Canada dominated possession in the later stages of the game. His spectacular save on Devon Toews in the third period, along with denying breakaways by both Macklin Celebrini and Connor McDavid, preserved the opportunity for Hughes’ heroics.

“He was our best player by a mile,” forward Matt Boldy said of Hellebuyck. “He’s an absolute stud. He wants to be in those moments. He wants to make the saves. And he did just that, so he was definitely our MVP.”

The victory completed a golden weekend for American hockey, as the women’s team had also defeated Canada in overtime to claim gold. For the men, defeating their northern rivals carried special significance after years of Canadian dominance in international competitions featuring NHL players.

The Americans struck first when Boldy scored six minutes into the game. They maintained that lead until Canada’s Cale Makar tied it late in the second period. Throughout the tournament, the U.S. penalty kill was perfect, successfully defending all 17 power plays they faced.

In a poignant moment amid the celebration, players carried a No. 13 jersey around the ice in tribute to Johnny Gaudreau, the beloved NHL star who was killed along with his brother in a tragic accident in 2024. Gaudreau’s parents, widow, and young children were in attendance, with his son Johnny Jr. celebrating his second birthday by joining the team photo on the ice.

“We just wanted to show the Gaudreau family our support,” said Brady Tkachuk. “He was so near and dear to a lot of us, and we miss him dearly. We did it for him.”

The championship validated USA Hockey’s player development system, as 23 of the 25 team members came through the organization’s National Team Development Program. Captain Auston Matthews, the Tkachuk brothers, Jack Eichel, and the Hughes brothers were among those who had played together in previous national teams at various levels.

It also silenced critics who questioned general manager Bill Guerin’s roster construction, which prioritized experienced veterans in specific roles over some of the top American goal-scorers in the NHL this season.

“There are whisky drinkers and milk drinkers, and we got a lot of whisky drinkers on this team,” coach Mike Sullivan explained. “One of the things that Billy Guerin and I talked about from the very beginning was trying to build a team in the true sense of the word.”

Canada, which had won Olympic gold in 2010 and 2014, competed without injured captain Sidney Crosby in the final stages of the tournament. The 38-year-old two-time Olympic champion and three-time Stanley Cup winner was sidelined after being injured in the quarterfinal.

For Canadian star Connor McDavid, who wore the captain’s “C” in Crosby’s absence, the defeat marked another heartbreaking near-miss. McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers have lost to Matthew Tkachuk’s Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final each of the past two NHL seasons.

The American victory stands as a defining moment for USA Hockey, completing a nearly half-century journey back to Olympic supremacy and establishing this generation of American players as worthy successors to the 1980 “Miracle” team’s legacy.