Team USA Men's Hockey Is One Win Away From Olympic Gold — Matt Boldy, Quinn Hughes Lead Historic Push

MILAN, Italy — The US men's hockey team has stormed into the Olympic gold medal game with a performance for the ages at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Games, and as of Sunday morning ET, Matt Boldy has opened the scoring against Canada in the most anticipated hockey showdown in decades. USA hockey leads Canada 1-0 in the first period of the gold medal game at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, chasing the country's first Olympic hockey gold since the legendary "Miracle on Ice" in 1980.

This is the culmination of a brilliant tournament run by Team USA hockey, one that has featured clutch goaltending from Connor Hellebuyck, creative brilliance from defenseman Quinn Hughes, and timely scoring all up and down the USA mens hockey roster.

Matt Boldy Opens the Gold Medal Scoring

Matt Boldy of the Minnesota Wild — the same player who picked up an assist on Hughes' overtime winner against Sweden — put Team USA on the board first in Sunday's gold medal final. The goal silenced a raucous Milano crowd that was estimated at roughly three-to-one Canadian fans. For Boldy, it is another landmark moment in what has been a breakout Olympic performance, building on his tournament-long contributions for the US men's hockey squad.

USA vs Sweden: The Overtime Thriller That Started It All

The road to Sunday's final began with one of the most dramatic USA vs Sweden hockey games in recent Olympic memory. On Feb. 18 ET, Team USA and Sweden were deadlocked 1-0 when Mika Zibanejad — playing for his country in what turned out to be a heartbreaking effort — buried a one-timer with just 1:31 remaining in the third period to tie the USA Sweden game at 1-1.

Dylan Larkin had opened scoring for the US hockey side with a second-period deflection, but Zibanejad's equalizer forced overtime. In the 3-on-3 extra session, Quinn Hughes took possession along the left point, drove toward the slot, and ripped a wrist shot inside the right post at 3:27 — a moment that sent USA hockey fans into delirium. Hellebuyck finished with 28 saves on 29 shots.

Matt Boldy and Auston Matthews were credited with assists on the winning goal. Sweden's Victor Hedman, who had been dominant all tournament, was forced to watch from the bench after suffering a lower-body injury during warmups — he couldn't be replaced because lineups had already been submitted.

USA Hockey Score: Dominating Slovakia 6-2 in the Semis

If USA vs Sweden was a thriller, the USA mens hockey semifinal against Slovakia hockey on Feb. 20 was a demolition. Dylan Larkin opened the floodgates with a first-period goal off a stretch pass, and the US olympic hockey squad never looked back.

Tage Thompson made it 2-0 late in the first. Jack Hughes — who had started the tournament on the fourth line — erupted with two second-period goals. Jack Eichel added a fourth just seconds after Hughes' first of the frame. Brady Tkachuk finished with a breakaway goal in the third to complete the 6-2 rout. Olympic hockey scores for the semifinal round don't get more lopsided for a North American clash.

Connor Hellebuyck was sharp with 22 saves, and Quinn Hughes recorded an assist to push his tournament total to seven points (1G, 6A) — putting him one point away from the all-time record for points by a defenseman in an Olympic tournament featuring NHL players.

Slovakia hockey had made an improbable run through the bracket, knocking out Germany 6-2 in the quarterfinals, but they had no answer for the USA men's hockey onslaught.

Olympic Hockey Results: The Full Picture

By the time the semifinals concluded, all four remaining teams had proven themselves elite. Canada hockey Olympics run was equally dominant — Connor McDavid tallied two goals and 11 assists across the tournament, while Macklin Celebrini emerged as a star with five goals. Canada hockey survived overtime against Czechia in the quarters and came from two goals down against Finland in the semis, with Nathan MacKinnon's power play goal with 36 seconds left forcing OT before Canada won 3-2.

Finland claimed bronze on Saturday, defeating Slovakia 6-1. Sweden vs Latvia had taken place in group play, while Sweden hockey fell short in the quarterfinals despite Zibanejad's heroics.

Connor Hellebuyck: The Wall Between USA and History

No conversation about US olympic hockey in Milan is complete without highlighting Connor Hellebuyck. The Vezina-caliber netminder has been nearly unbreachable throughout the tournament, posting a save percentage of .9474 through six games — the best of any goaltender remaining in the competition. Hellebuyck has faced 95 shots and allowed just five goals.

His performance has validated coach Mike Sullivan's decision to make him the clear-cut starter over other elite options on the Team USA hockey roster, and Sunday's gold medal game against Canada represents his biggest test yet.

USA vs Canada: The Game the Entire Hockey World Wanted

As the men's Olympic hockey gold medal game begins to unfold on Sunday morning ET, the stage is set for a generational rivalry moment. Canada enters without captain Sidney Crosby, who was ruled out due to a lower-body injury suffered in the quarterfinals — a massive blow, as Crosby was a two-time Olympic gold medalist. Defenseman Josh Morrissey is also unavailable.

The US men's hockey team, for its part, arrived in Milan as arguably the deepest American squad ever assembled — with five NHL captains, two league MVPs, and a roster built for this exact moment. Matt Boldy's early first-period goal has given Team USA the lead, and the entire nation is watching.

The last time the US men's hockey team won Olympic gold, it was Feb. 22, 1980 — 46 years ago to the day.