2026 Winter Olympics: Jack Hughes' overtime goal gives U.S. men's hockey first gold since 1980

MILAN — The United States captured its first Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey since the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" when Jack Hughes scored the golden goal in 3-on-3 overtime, a finish that will be remembered across the 2026 winter olympics and beyond. The 2-1 victory over Canada on Sunday combined a heroic goaltending night from Connor Hellebuyck with an emotional celebration from the American roster.

How the winning play unfolded: Werenski, MacKinnon and an early OT strike

Hughes' goal came less than two minutes into the extra period in the 3-on-3 overtime. Zach Werenski wrestled the puck away from Canada's Nathan MacKinnon and delivered a cross-ice feed to an open Jack Hughes, who finished to make it 2-1 and send the U. S. bench into celebration.

Connor Hellebuyck's night: 41 saves and two game-changing stops

U. S. goalie Connor Hellebuyck stopped 41 shots to keep the game tied through regulation and into overtime. His biggest play in the third period came when he used his paddle to deny Devon Toews on a rebound that otherwise might have been tucked into a gaping net. Earlier, Hellebuyck stuffed Connor McDavid on a breakaway halfway through the second period.

Hellebuyck entered the game as the reigning Vezina and Hart Trophy winner and the performance was described by an opponent as "one of the best performances of all time, " with a direct comparison to Jimmy Craig from 1980. Teammate praise was equally emphatic: one player said the goalie "should never buy a drink in [his home] state of Michigan ever again. "

The context of the goalie’s season was also in evidence: Hellebuyck had a rough 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs with the Winnipeg Jets, getting pulled three times in the first round versus the St. Louis Blues — part of what made this night feel like a personal redemption. Hellebuyck told teammates and media, "Those critics, they can keep writing, " but the remainder of his comment is unclear in the provided context.

Penalty, chipped tooth and what players were saying

Jack Hughes had at least one front tooth chipped in the third period after taking a high-sticking penalty from Sam Bennett; that penalty produced a four-minute power play for the U. S. Hughes described his reaction on the ice: "My first thought was, draw the penalty. Actually, my first thought, I looked on the ice and saw my teeth. "

Forward Matt Boldy quipped about the aftermath: "More people are going to be looking at his medal than his teeth. " After the final goal the gloves came flying as Team USA celebrated on the ice.

Teammates, rivals and wider U. S. sweep reaction

Quinn Hughes, Jack’s brother and a U. S. defenseman, praised his sibling as "a freaking gamer, " calling him mentally tough and an "American hero. " Charlie McAvoy described the post-goal celebration as a blackout: "I can't wait to see the footage of what happened after we scored, because it was a complete blackout. Who I was hugging, where I was going... I don't know what happened. It was just euphoria. I can't even explain what I was feeling, just pure joy. "

P. K. Subban offered full praise for Team USA men's hockey following the victory. Players for the U. S. had spoken in the months before the tournament about a "gold or bust" mantra, a mission they backed up on the ice; the U. S. women also beat Canada 2-1 in overtime on Thursday, completing a clean sweep for USA Hockey at these Games.

Jon Cooper criticizes 3-on-3 overtime at the 2026 Winter Olympics after loss

Team Canada coach Jon Cooper said he would not use the 3-on-3 overtime as an excuse for losing the gold-medal game, but he was blunt in his critique of the format. Cooper said that taking four players off the ice made the game "not hockey anymore. " The loss left Canada on the wrong end of a 2-1 overtime result in the gold-medal final.