USA wins OT thriller vs Canada for first men’s hockey gold since 1980

MILAN — The USA’s Olympics gold medal drought is over, and the U.S. men’s hockey team did it on the anniversary of another watershed moment.

Team USA defeated archrival Canada 2-1 on Sunday, Feb. 22 when Jack Hughes scored at 1:41 of overtime for the Americans’ first gold medal since 1980. He took a pass from Zach Werenski and ripped a shot past Canada goalie Jordan Binnington, who had stymied the USA in overtime of the 4 Nations Face-Off final.

‘This is all about our country,’ Hughes told NBC. ‘I love the USA, I love my teammates. It’s unbelievable. The USA Hockey brotherhood is so strong.’

Hughes had been high-sticked in the third period and appeared to lose a tooth. He joins brother Quinn with key overtime goals in the 2026 Winter Olympics.

But Connor Hellebuyck kept the game tied with a huge 41-save effort. He robbed Toews, getting his stick on a shot when the defenseman had a wide open net.

The win gave the USA men’s and women’s teams a gold medal sweep in Milan, both with 2-1 overtime victories against Canada.

Matt Boldy scored in the first period for the USA, splitting the defensive pair of Cale Makar and Devon Toews. Makar tied it late in the second period as Canada, playing without injured captain Sidney Crosby, dominated play after the first period.

‘Unbelievable game by Hellebuyck,’ Hughes told NBC

The Americans’ win happened 46 years to the day after the USA upset the Soviet Union at the 1980 Olympics on the way to the country’s previous gold medal.

“This is it,’ 1980 captain Mike Eruzione, who scored the Miracle on Ice game-winning goal, said during an interview with NBC in the first intermission. ‘It’s over for us. This is their team. This is their time.’

This Olympics is different because the USA and Canada are loaded with NHL players. But Canada is the USA’s biggest rival and had the Americans’ number recently.

But now the USA has three men’s hockey gold medals, joining the 1960 and 1980 teams.

USA TODAY is in Milan and provided live coverage of the gold medal game between the United States and Canada. Here’s what to know about the game. Here are highlights:

Connor McDavid named Olympic men’s hockey tournament MVP

Connor McDavid was named the men’s hockey tournament MVP and best forward after finishing with 13 points for silver medalist Canada. That set a record for an NHL player at the Olympics, breaking the 11 points shared by Finland’s Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu in 2006.

The USA’s Connor Hellebuyck and Quinn Hughes won best best goalkeeper and defender, respectively. Here are the winners:

Most Valuable Player

Connor McDavid, CAN Tournament Directorate Three Best Players

Best Goalkeeper: Connor Hellebuyck, USA

Best Defender: Quinn Hughes, USA

Best Forward: Connor McDavid, CAN

Media All-Star Team

Goalkeeper: Connor Hellebuyck, USA

Defender: Quinn Hughes, USA

Defender: Cale Makar, Canada

Forward: Connor McDavid, Canada

Forward: Macklin Celebrini, Canada

Forward: Juraj Slafkovsky, Slovakia

Team USA congratulated by President Donald Trump

Players were singing, their arms slung around one another, belting out ‘Dream on,’ and ‘We are the champions,’ when a phone rang.

It was Donald J. Trump.

‘The players just had the President on, I don’t know what it was, what do you call it, FaceTime, whatever, in the locker room,’ coach Mike Sullivan said about an hour after the USA men had clinched the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics. ‘He just spoke to the group, expressing how proud he was of the group and congratulating everybody on the win.’

It was uncertain if a trip to the White House is coming because the players and Sullivan are all returning to their NHL jobs on Feb. 23. They were originally scheduled to fly to New York’s JFK airport, but the flight plan was changed to Miami because of the storm battering the northeast.

Team USA honors Johnny Gaudreau family

After receiving their gold medals, Team USA posed for its championship photo. But first, a player went into the stands to get the children of the late Johnny Gaudreau. They brought them onto the ice and had them pose with a Gaudreau jersey and the team. USA players have said they are playing for Gaudreau, who was killed in 2024.

USA Hockey has brought along Gaudreau’s jersey and displayed it in the locker room at international tournaments. Gaudreau and his brother Matthew died when hit by a car while they were bicycling.

Jack Hughes wins it for the USA

Jack Hughes scores at 1:41 of overtime for the golden goal and a 2-1 victory. He had been high-sticked in the third period and appeared to lose a tooth. This is the second big overtime goal for the Hughes family. Brother Quinn scored in the quarterfinals against Sweden.

Overtime underway

First goal wins a gold medal. Jordan Binnington robs the USA early.

Overtime facts

In the three overtimes in the quarterfinals, no overtime lasted longer than 3:27. Overtime is 3-on-3 in Olympics. Quinn Hughes (USA) and Mitch Marner (Canada) scored in overtime in 2026.

USA women’s hockey cheering on men’s team

The U.S. women’s hockey team defeated Canada to capture gold and the squad was front and center to cheer on the U.S. men as they look to do the same. Laila Edwards, Caroline Harvey, Abbey Murphy and Kendall Coyne Schofield were among the women’s national team members in attendance.

Hannah Bilka told USA TODAY Sports that the men’s team has “winners in that locker room.” She added, “Good luck. I think they are such an incredible team… and I know that they can do it.”

USA vs Canada score: USA 1, Canada 1, heading to overtime

Canada came out flying in the third, running up a 10-2 edge in shots. USA spent so much time defending it hardly got any pressure on Binnington. It took a four-minute power play, with Sam Bennett high-sticking Jack Hughes, for USA to threaten. Jake Guentzel had a point blank shot from the  slot. The last 49 seconds of the power play was wiped out when Hughes clipped Bo Horvat, giving Canada 1:11 with a power play. 

We’re heading to overtme

Score is tied 1-1. There’s an intermission then 3-on-3 play until someone scores.

Canada on power play

Sam Bennett out of penalty box. That’s killed, too.

USA goes on power play

Sam Bennett high-sticks Jack Hughes and draws blood. He possibly lost a tooth. Four minute power play. The second part of the power play will end with a Hughes penalty. It’s 4-on-4.

Goalies being tested

Jordan Binnington and Connor Hellebuyck are making big saves on both ends. Binnington stops Vincent Trocheck and a rebound. Hellebuyck robs Devon Toews.

USA vs Canada score update

Canada has outshot USA 27-9 since the start of the second period. Still 1-1

Connor Hellebuyck stops Macklin Celebrini

He’s stopped on a breakaway and his rebound goes wide.

Third period underway

Game tied 1-1.

USA vs Canada score: USA 1, Canada 1 after two periods

Canada controlled play for much of the period, but USA was brilliant when Charlie McAvoy was sent to the penalty box 27 seconds after Jake Guentzel, giving Canada 1:33 with a two-man advantage. Dylan Larkin, Vincent Trocheck and JT Miller were among USA players who came up big on the kill, and Canada did not get anything by Connor Hellebuyck. There was 1:44 left when Canada tied it on a nice shot from Cale Makar from the right circle. Brock Faber had a shot go off both posts as the period came to an end with Canada outshooting USA 19-8 in the period.

The period ended with a scrum in front of USA’s bench as the sides continued to jostle and shove within the limits of international hockey rules.

USA chance

USA defenseman Brock Faber’s shot hits both posts.

Canada vs USA score: Cale Makar ties game

Devon Toews finds Cale Makar at the top of the right faceoff circle. He skates in and beats Connor Hellebuyck with a perfectly placed shot at 18:16. USA 1, Canada 1

Things get chippy

Things are getting chippy. USA’s Matthew Tkachuk and Canada’s Cale Makar were pushing behind USA’s goal with about 3 minutes remaining in the second period. Fellow teammates got involved before officials separated both teams. Makar later came down and scored at the 1:44 mark to tie the gold-medal game 1-1.

USA vs. Canada score update

1-0 USA with about four minutes left in the second period. Shots are 23-15 Canada.

Huge penalty kill by USA

Entering Sunday’s gold-medal game, Team USA had not conceded a power play goal to opponents (15-for-15). That streak was in danger of ending after the Americans were called for back-to-back penalties — Jake Guentzel was penalized for holding at 9:27 and Charlie McAvoy was called for hooking at 9:55— giving the Canadians a 5-on-3 advantage. Big saves by Connor Hellebuyck and good clears by the USA. One Canada shot goes wide and down the ice to the Canadian end. Chants of “U-S-A” rang out in support of the American on ice, who were able to kill off the power play yet again. Team USA improves to 17-for-17 on the penalty kill.

Canada goes on power play

Jake Guentzel called for holding. Then Charlie McAvoy is called for hooking. Canada has a 5-on-3 for 1:32. USA kills it off.

Big save by Connor Hellebuyck

The USA goalie stops Connor McDavid on a breakaway.

Johnny Gaudreau’s family in the house

Late Blue Jackets and USA player Johnny Gaudreau’s wife Meredith and children are in the stands. It’s Johnny Jr.’s second birthday. Team USA has said it’s playing for Gaudreau, who died in August 2024, along with brother Matthew, when hit by a car while they bicycling.

Big chances at both ends

Canada is buzzing early in the period and Connor Hellebuyck has to come up with big saves. Then Jordan Binnington stops Brock Nelson on a great chance.

Canada tweaks line

Nathan MacKinnon now with Mitch Marner and Mark Stone. But that’s short-term as he’s back again with Connor McDavid and Macklin Celebrini.

USA vs Canada second period underway

1-0 USA.

Mike Eruzione interview with NBC

Mike Eruzione, captain of the USA team that won the Miracle on Ice 46 years ago, is excited about the USA’s chances with the USA up 1-0.

‘Keep going USA. This is it. This is it,’ he said during an interview with NBC. ‘It’s over for us. This is their team. This is their time.’

He mentioned a play by current Team USA captain Auston Matthews.

‘I’m sitting there and Auston Matthews has the puck and he passes it off,’ he said. ‘I’m yelling, ‘Shoot the puck,’ and the lady in front of me says, ‘I’d rather listen to you than watch the game.’ I’m jacked up. I’m excited.’

USA vs Canada score: USA 1, Canada 0 after one period

The USA had a good start, buzzing around Canada’s zone. Tom Wilson delivered the hit of the first period when he crushed Dylan Larkin behind the USA’s net. It was the Americans who were first to celebrate a goal, with Matt Boldy splitting Canada’s top defensive pair of Cale Makar and Devon Toews, flipping the puck to himself and scoring on Jordan Binnington six minutes into the game. That was the USA’s first shot on net, but they were even, 8-8, by the end of the period. 

USA goes on power play

Shea Theodore is called for hooking. USA gets three shots but Canada kills it off.

Canada using big line again

Just like in the semifinals, Canada has Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and Macklin Celebrini together. That’s three of the NHL’s top four scorers together.

Scene from Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena

The emcees at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena used a game break in the first period of the gold medal game to pass out boxes of pasta to fans in attendance as Lou Monte’s “Luna Mezzo Mare” rang out on the speakers. For one brief moment, both American and Canadian fans were united by their love of the Italian staple.

USA vs Canada score update

Still 1-0 USA with seven minutes left in the first period. Canada outshooting the USA 7-2.

USA vs Canada score: Matt Boldy gets USA goal

Matt Boldy splits the defense with a great move between Cale Makar and Devon Toews, then beats Jordan Binnington of the USA’s first shot of the game at 6:00. Auston Matthews and Quinn Hughes get the assists. USA 1, Canada 0

Big hit from Tom Wilson

The game has been physical early. Tom Wilson delivers a big hit on Dylan Larkin. Then Brandon Hagel hits Quinn Hughes.

Game underway

USA’s Connor Hellebuyck vs. Canada’s Jordan Binnington in net.

When is USA vs Canada gold medal game at 2026 Winter Olympics?

• Date: Sunday, Feb, 22
• Location: Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena (Milan)

What time is gold medal game for men’s hockey at 2026 Winter Olympics?

• Time: 8:10 a.m. ET

The United States and Canada will have an 8:10 a.m. ET puck drop in the gold medal game of the 2026 Winter Olympics.

How to watch men’s hockey gold medal game at 2026 Winter Olympics

• TV channel: NBC
• Streaming options: Peacock (digital only) | NBCOlympics.com | NBC Olympics App

Streaming options for the USA-Canada gold medal matchup include Peacock, NBC’s subscription streaming service, and both NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Olympic App with a TV login.

Goaltending matchup

USA’s Connor Hellebuyck vs. Canada’s Jordan Binnington, the same as in the 4 Nations Face-Off final. Binnington made several big saves in overtime of that game before Connor McDavid scored.

Differences between Olympics, 4 Nations championship games

The rosters for Team USA and Team Canada are mostly the same. But there are plenty of differences. Among them, Quinn Hughes is available for the USA after missing the 4 Nations and Sidney Crosby will miss the gold medal game with an injury.

Tage Thompson playing for USA

USA forward Tage Thompson is listed on the lineup sheets from USA Hockey and the IIHF. He was held out of the third period of the USA’s win against Slovakia in the semifinals as a precaution.

Team USA lines vs. Canada

Team Canada hockey lines vs. USA

Sidney Crosby won’t play in gold medal game

Canada will not have captain Sidney Crosby available for the gold medal game against the USA.

He wasn’t listed on the lineup sheet posted by Hockey Canada about an hour before the puck was to drop at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena between the two hockey rivals.

Crosby was injured four days earlier. He skated on Feb. 21, and coach Jon Cooper said the team would decide what was best for Canada and Crosby.

USA vs Canada hockey history in best-on-best championships

Canada has the edge on the USA when they meet in championship games of best-on-best tournaments involving NHL players, including last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off.

Read here for recent history between the two countries

USA vs Canada hockey predictions

Mike Brehm, USA TODAY: Canada 3, USA 2 (OT)

Jace Evans, USA TODAY: Canada 4, USA 2

Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press: USA 4, Canada 2

Full predictions can be found here

Team USA arrives

How USA, Canada reached the gold medal game

Both teams are 5-0 at the tournament.

The USA beat Latvia, Denmark and Germany in the preliminary round, then Sweden in the quarterfinals and Slovakia in the semifinals. The United States had to come from behind to beat Denmark and was pushed to overtime by Sweden.

Canada beat Czechia, Switzerland and France in the preliminary round, then Czechia in the quarterfinals and Finland in the semifinals. The Canadians had to rally to win their last two games, beating Czechia in overtime.