Team USA has finally defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime to win gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Sunday. Jack Hughes scored at 1:41 of overtime at Santagiulia Arena in Milan, with assists from Zach Werenski and goalie Connor Hellebuyck. The win gives the Americans their first Olympic gold in men’s hockey since the “Miracle on Ice” in 1980.
Team USA’s standout moment came when Hughes finished a quick play after Werenski stripped Nathan MacKinnon and fired a wrist shot past Jordan Binnington. That play won them the gold, ending their drought.
USA vs Canada: Final Score
USA 2, Canada 1 (OT)
Date: Feb. 22, 2026
Shots on Goal: USA 28, Canada 42
- Matt Boldy opened the scoring at 6:00 of the first period.
- Cale Makar tied it at 38:16 in the second.
- Neither team scored in the third before Hughes ended it in overtime.
USA vs Canada: Goalie stats
Hellebuyck stopped 41 of 42 shots for a .976 save percentage in 61:41. He made several key stops late in regulation, and also assisted on the game-winner in overtime.
Jordan Binnington turned aside 26 of 28 shots for a .929 save percentage in 61:41. He kept Canada alive despite heavy pressure.
USA vs Canada: Important USA player stats
- Jack Hughes (C): 1 goal, 3 shots, +1 rating.
- Matt Boldy (LW): 1 goal, 3 shots.
- Zach Werenski (D): 1 assist, +1 rating.
- Auston Matthews (C): 1 assist.
- Quinn Hughes (D): 1 assist.
The United States went 0-for-3 on the power play. The team took six penalty minutes.
USA vs Canada: Important Canada player stats
- Cale Makar (D): 1 goal, 3 shots.
- Devon Toews (D): 1 assist.
- Nathan MacKinnon (C): 6 shots, 0 points.
- Connor McDavid (C): 2 shots, 0 Points.
- Macklin Celebrini (C): 6 shots, 0 points.
Canada also went 0-for-3 on the power play and also took six penalty minutes.
Note: Sidney Crosby did not play due to injury.
Team Canada Outshot Team USA
Canada squad outshot the Americans 42-28 but could not solve Hellebuyck in the net. The Americans leave Milan with gold, and Canada takes silver after a hard-fought final that needed overtime to decide it.
United States’ Run in the 2026 Winter Olympics
The United States opened the tournament with wins over Latvia (5-1), Denmark (6-3), and Germany (5-1) in group play. In the quarterfinal, the Americans edged Sweden 2-1 in overtime. They rolled past Slovakia 6-2 in the semifinal.
Captain America Auston Matthews said,
“It’s so special. It’s just a feeling, playing for your country and doing it in this kind of fashion. I mean, I don’t even know what to say. It’s unbelievable. It’s so special. I don’t even know.”
Team USA scored 26 goals across the tournament to claim their gold.
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