USA Claims Gold with Overtime Victory Over Canada
February 22, 2026 by: Mackenzie Olsommer
Milan, Italy – USA defeats the Canadians in the 2026 Winter Olympics in the Men’s Ice Hockey Finals
The United States claimed a gold medal in the 2026 Olympics men’s ice hockey finals after defeating Canada in overtime 2-1 in Milan, Italy. The U.S. has not claimed a gold medal for 46 years, since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” game against the Soviet Union men’s team that took place on the same exact date (February 22, 1980).
At puck drop, Canada won the faceoff and took their first shot just one minute and 18 seconds into the game, giving U.S. goalie, Connor Hellebuyck, his first glove save. The U.S. responded with a shot minutes later that was saved by the Canada goalie, Carey Price.
Half way through the thirteenth minute of the game the United States, Matt Boldly, took a rebound in front of the net and put the puck in the goal. The U.S. led 1-0 about halfway through the first period.
For the remainder of the first period Canada controlled the movement of the puck, but was unable to put it in the goal, ending the first period 1-0 in favor of the United States.
The second period began and it took Canada just over two minutes to find the puck in the back of the United States’ goal. A shot taken by defenseman, Cale Makar, made its way from the blue line and through many skaters in order to tie up the game.
Both teams continued to take shots at each other in a very physical second period, but neither team could find the back of the net leaving the game tied 1-1 going into the third period.
In the third, Canada dominated possession early on, shooting on Hellebuyck continuously throughout the period. The U.S. had few chances to score and regular regulation ended still tied 1-1, meaning a sudden death overtime period would begin.
Going into overtime, tensions were high, with fans up on their feet cheering for their country in such a huge rivalry game.
In just under two minutes, the United States stole the puck and took it into the neutral zone where Jack Hughes took a shot and fired it into the back of the net. The U.S. bench flooded out onto the ice to celebrate the huge victory as fans in the stands couldn’t contain themselves.
In a post game interview, discussing what the surreal moment meant to Hughes he said, “This is all about our country right now. I love the USA. I love my teammates…the USA Hockey brotherhood is so strong. I’m so proud to be American tonight.”
This victory brought in the 12th gold medal for the United States to bring home on the final day of the 2026 Winter Olympics, which is also the highest total the country has ever won in a single Winter Olympics.