Team USA claimed the Olympic men’s ice hockey title on Sunday with a 2-1 overtime victory over Canada in Milan, sealing the country’s first gold medal in the event since 1980.
Jack Hughes scored the decisive goal 1:41 into sudden death overtime. Zach Werenski carried the puck out of defence and fed Hughes, who beat Canada goaltender Jordan Binnington from close range to end the contest.
The United States last won Olympic gold in men’s hockey at Lake Placid in 1980.
“I love the USA, I love my teammates – it’s unbelievable,” Jack Hughes told NBC after the match. “The USA hockey brotherhood means so much.”
The final drew a full crowd at the Milano Santagiulia arena and followed a tense 60 minutes of regulation play. Matt Boldy gave the United States a first period lead with a solo effort past two defenders. Canada levelled late in the second period through Cale Makar.
Canada outshot the United States 41-26 over regulation and overtime. Connor Hellebuyck, the American goalkeeper, made 41 saves and kept his side in the match during extended pressure in the third period.
“He was our best player tonight by a mile,” Hughes told NBC.
The game moved to three on three overtime under Olympic rules. There is no shootout in a gold medal match. The first goal ended the contest.
Canada pressed for long spells in the third period. Nathan MacKinnon missed an open net from a tight angle. Macklin Celebrini and Connor McDavid also saw chances denied by Hellebuyck. Canada played without captain Sidney Crosby, who missed the final with a leg injury.
At the final horn, American players threw gloves and sticks into the air. The team later skated with a number 13 jersey in tribute to Johnny Gaudreau, who died in 2024. His family attended the match in Milan, according to CNN.
President Donald Trump congratulated the team on his Truth Social account. “Congratulations to our great U.S.A. Ice Hockey team. THEY WON THE GOLD. WOW!” he wrote.
Earlier in the tournament, the American women defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime to win gold, marking the first time both national teams won titles at the same Winter Games.
Hughes finished the tournament with four goals and three assists. Hellebuyck was named best goaltender of the competition, according to official tournament honours released on Sunday.
During the medal ceremony, the United States stood on the top step while Canada received silver and Finland bronze. The American national anthem played inside the arena as players posed for photographs with their medals.
The result ended a 46-year wait for Olympic gold in men’s hockey and closed the Winter Games in Milan Cortina with one of the tournament’s most watched events.
HT