Jack Hughes, Connor Hellebuyck Lift U.S. to Olympic Hockey Gold as Trump Congratulates Team USA

Jack Hughes finished the Olympic tournament in dramatic fashion, scoring the golden goal in 3-on-3 overtime to give the United States a 2-1 win over Canada and the nation's first Olympic men's hockey gold since the 1980 "Miracle on Ice. " The game in Milan delivered a defining moment for Hughes and a standout performance from goalie Connor Hellebuyck, and it drew a public congratulation from President Donald Trump on social media.

Jack Hughes' golden goal and gritty finish

Hughes put the U. S. ahead less than two minutes into the extra period when Zach Werenski wrestled the puck away from Nathan MacKinnon and sent a cross-ice feed to an open Hughes, who buried the winner in 3-on-3 overtime. The goal completed a tense finish to a 2-1 game and sparked a wild on-ice celebration as gloves were thrown and teammates embraced in euphoria.

Hughes played through visible damage: he had at least one front tooth chipped in the third period after a high-sticking penalty drawn by Sam Bennett, which yielded a four-minute U. S. power play. Teammates and opponents noted the cracked teeth, while several players emphasized that more attention would now be paid to the medal around his neck.

Connor Hellebuyck's goaltending prowess

Connor Hellebuyck delivered a performance widely described as sensational. One account in the provided context lists Hellebuyck with 41 saves to keep the game tied heading into overtime; another lists 40 saves and notes several late-game stops. The context includes both figures and is unclear which is definitive. Highlights included a third-period paddle stop on a Devon Toews rebound that would have been a sure goal and a breakaway stop on Connor McDavid midway through the second period.

Hellebuyck's Olympic showing was framed as a personal redemption: he entered the tournament as the reigning Vezina and Hart Trophy winner after a difficult 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs in which he was pulled three times in the first round against the St. Louis Blues. He pushed back on critics, saying "Those critics, they can keep writing, " and asserting that critics don't understand goaltending and his game; that remark is incomplete in the provided context.

Key moments and supporting players

• Matt Boldy opened the scoring for the U. S. in the first period, splitting defenders and beating Canadian goaltending.
• Cale Makar tied the game in the second period, setting up a scoreless third that led to overtime.
• Zach Werenski earned the assist on the golden goal after taking the puck from Nathan MacKinnon.
• Devon Toews nearly converted on a rebound in the third that Hellebuyck stopped with his paddle.

Team reaction, rituals and wider context

Players had been vocal in the months before the Olympics with a "gold or bust" mantra, and the U. S. men backed those words with victory over their principal rival. After the final horn, teammates celebrated wildly; defenseman Charlie McAvoy described the post-goal scene as a blackout moment and said he could not fully recount who he hugged in the rush of euphoria.

The U. S. victory completed a sweep in Olympic hockey for the country: the women's team also beat Canada 2-1 in overtime for gold earlier in the tournament, underscoring a dominant run across both tournaments.

Honoring a teammate and outside reactions

The American team carried a late teammate's jersey onto the ice to honor Johnny Gaudreau. Captain Auston Matthews, alternate Matthew Tkachuk and defenseman Zach Werenski — who had played with Gaudreau on the Columbus Blue Jackets — held up Gaudreau's sweater while taking a celebratory lap, and Gaudreau's children were brought onto the ice for the team photo.

Prominent players offered high praise for Hellebuyck's night. Matthew Tkachuk framed the goaltending as one of the best performances in U. S. history, drawing comparisons to past greats, and Dylan Larkin quipped about how rarely Hellebuyck should buy a drink in his home state of Michigan after such a showing. P. K. Subban also expressed praise for the American team's performance following the victory.

Political reaction and rivalry backdrop

As the Americans celebrated in Milan, President Donald Trump reacted on his social media platform, congratulating the team and exclaiming that they "WON THE GOLD" and calling it "WHAT A GAME!!!" The context notes that Trump's political prodding of Canada helped reignite the rivalry, which had roots in meetings between the two national teams at last year's 4 Nations Face-Off.

Player stats and tournament totals

From the material in the provided context, Jack Hughes' tournament totals were listed as 4 goals, 7 points and a plus-8 rating, capped by the golden goal that secured Olympic gold for the United States.

Recent roundups and commentary dated 2/23/26 highlighted the cracked-tooth image of Hughes, the golden moment, and celebratory scenes in Milan, with coverage emphasizing the emotional and historic weight of the win for U. S. hockey.