Jack Hughes Hockey: chipped tooth and overtime winner deliver U.S. Olympic gold
Jack Hughes scored the overtime winner as the United States beat Canada 2-1 in the men’s Olympic hockey final in Milan, completing a dramatic night that left Hughes with a chipped tooth and a gold medal. The victory ended a long drought for U. S. men’s hockey and featured a dominant goaltending performance from Connor Hellebuyck.
Jack Hughes Hockey: how the goal unfolded in 3-on-3 overtime
Hughes finished the game in 3-on-3 overtime, converting a chance a little more than 1 1/2 minutes into extra time — less than two minutes into the extra period — to make it 2-1. The play began when Zach Werenski wrestled the puck away from Canada’s Nathan MacKinnon and sent a cross-ice feed to an open Hughes, who scored past Canadian goalie Jordan Binnington. The finish sealed the Americans’ win in the men’s final at the Milan Cortina Games on Feb. 22, 2026.
Tooth knocked loose, penalty and the moment after the goal
Hughes had at least one front tooth chipped in the third period after taking a high-sticking blow from Sam Bennett, which produced a four-minute power play for the U. S. He later said, "My first thought was, draw the penalty. Actually, my first thought, I looked on the ice and saw my teeth. " Teammate Matt Boldy added, "More people are going to be looking at his medal than his teeth. " After the overtime winner the gloves flew as Team USA celebrated on the ice; defenseman Charlie McAvoy described the post-goal scene as "a complete blackout, " saying he couldn’t even explain the euphoria of the moment.
Connor Hellebuyck’s 41-save night and signature stops
U. S. goalie Connor Hellebuyck stopped 41 shots in the final, keeping the game tied through regulation. His key moments included using his paddle in the third period to deny Devon Toews on a rebound and stuffing Connor McDavid on a breakaway halfway through the second period. Hellebuyck, the reigning Vezina and Hart Trophy winner, had endured a rough 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs for the Winnipeg Jets — getting pulled three times in the first round versus the St. Louis Blues — and addressed critics with: "Those critics, they can keep writing, " Hellebuyck said. "But they don't understand goaltending. They don't understand my game. I know w"
Clean sweep for USA Hockey and the "gold or bust" mantra
American players had entered the tournament repeating a mantra of "gold or bust" in the months leading up to the Games, and the men’s victory completed a clean sweep for USA Hockey after the women also defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime for the gold medal on Thursday. The men’s team’s triumph was the country’s first Olympic gold in men’s hockey since the 1980 "Miracle on Ice. "
Voices from the ice: Quinn Hughes, teammates and P. K. Subban
Jack Hughes, 24, who is a forward for the New Jersey Devils, drew praise from teammates and opponents alike. His older brother Quinn Hughes, 26, a defenseman for the Americans, offered two takes on his sibling: "He's a freaking gamer. He's always been a gamer, " and separately, "No one loves the game more than him... He's got so much passion. He's a gamer. He made it happen. " Jack also noted he had lost a tooth in an NHL game a few years earlier. Matthew Tkachuk hailed Hellebuyck’s effort as one of the best performances of all time, comparing it to great U. S. goaltending moments in 1980, while Dylan Larkin quipped, "That guy should never buy a drink in [his home] state of Michigan ever again. " Even opposing voice P. K. Subban was full of praise for Team USA after the victory, capturing the sweep of emotion and achievement that closed out the Games for the Americans.
The result in Milan — a 2-1 win over Canada secured in overtime — will be remembered for Hughes’ gritty finish with a bloody mouth and a chipped front tooth, Hellebuyck’s 41 saves and a celebration that finally returned Olympic men’s hockey gold to the United States.
