2026 Winter Olympics: USA wins men’s ice hockey gold for first time in 46 years

The United States won gold in men’s Olympic ice hockey for the first time in 46 years, beating neighbor Canada 2-1 in a thrilling conclusion to the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Jack Hughes claimed the final gold medal of the games in overtime after the USA withstood pressure from the dominant Canadians throughout most of the game, with goaltender Connor Hellebuyck having the game of his life.

It is the first time since the “Miracle on Ice” in Lake Placid in 1980 that the U.S. men have won Olympic gold.

This is the first time that Americans have won the competition outside their homeland.

After a difficult start, the USA took the lead in style through some individual magic from Matt Boldy.

Boldy picked the ball up inside his own half, lobbed it over two defenders and beat them to pick it up before pushing it around a stranded Jordan Binnington.

Canada, as they had in their previous two knockout rounds, needed to come from behind but struggled to build momentum until the end of the second half.

The United States defended hard, including a period when they were three-on-five and two-on-one in the box.

But in the 38th minute, a quick substitution from Devon Toews saw Cale Makar wide open on the right flank and he slotted the ball past Hellebuyck.

Canada continued its dominance in the third period, and in regular time had 41 shots compared to 26 for the United States.

But they seem to have found every possible way not to register. Hellebuyck saved Mitch Marner from close range with a stunning piece of goalkeeping, before Nathan MacKinnon somehow got past the open goal at the back post.

That meant three-on-three overtime for the first time in Olympic history. In the gold medal game, both teams field three players plus a goalkeeper in overtime, playing until a goal is scored without penalty kicks.

After both teams had chances, Hughes hit his shot 101 seconds into extra time to write his name in American sports folklore.