Front hero Jack Hughes lost front tooth, Hellebuyck stops 41 in U.S. Olympic gold
Jack Hughes lost front teeth and then scored the winning goal in 3-on-3 overtime as the United States beat Canada 2-1 to claim the men’s Olympic hockey gold at the Milan Cortina Games on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. U. S. goalie Connor Hellebuyck stopped 41 shots to keep the game tied heading into overtime.
Front celebrations on ice
MILAN — After Hughes’ golden goal the gloves went flying as Team USA celebrated on the ice. Defenseman Charlie McAvoy said, "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 was full of praise for Team USA men's hockey after defeating Canada to win the gold medal.
How the goal unfolded
The winning goal came in 3-on-3 overtime — less than two minutes into the extra period, and after, by one account, a little more than 1 1/2 minutes of extra time. Zach Werenski wrestled the puck away from Canada's Nathan MacKinnon and sent a cross-ice feed to an open Jack Hughes, who scored past Canadian goalie Jordan Binnington to make it 2-1.
Hellebuyck's 41-stop performance
Connor Hellebuyck was sensational, stopping 41 shots. He produced several signature moments, including using his paddle in the third period to stop Devon Toews from tucking a rebound into a gaping net and stuffing Connor McDavid on a breakaway halfway through the second period. Matthew Tkachuk said of Hellebuyck, "It's going to go down as one of the best performances of all time -- it has to. Right up there with Jimmy Craig [in 1980], all the great United States goaltenders. In the NHL, whatever type of hockey, whatever goaltending performance you want to talk about, that's right up there. " Dylan Larkin added: "That guy should never buy a drink in [his home] state of Michigan ever again. " Hellebuyck is the reigning Vezina and Hart Trophy winner and had a rough 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs for the Winnipeg Jets, getting pulled three times in the first round vs. the St. Louis Blues. "Those critics, they can keep writing, " Hellebuyck said. "But they don't understand goaltending. They don't understand my game. I know w"
Chipped tooth and penalty
Hughes lost some teeth during the game and had at least one front tooth chipped in the third period after taking a high-sticking penalty from Sam Bennett, a play that resulted in a four-minute power play for the U. S. Hughes said, "My first thought was, draw the penalty, " and added, "Actually, my first thought, I looked on the ice and saw my teeth. " The noted Hughes was "spittin’ chiclets" after the stick to the mouth and that he had one knocked out in an NHL game a few years ago as well. Matt Boldy quipped, "More people are going to be looking at his medal than his teeth. "
Reactions from teammates
Jack Hughes, 24, a forward for the New Jersey Devils wearing No. 86, received praise from teammates and family. His older brother Quinn Hughes, 26 and a defenseman for the Americans, offered two reflections: from one account, "He's a freaking gamer. He's always been a gamer. Just mentally tough, been through a lot, loves the game. American hero. " In another comment Quinn said, "No one loves the game more than him. He's got so much passion. He's a gamer. He made it happen. " Teammates had been talking in the months leading up to the tournament with a mantra of "gold or bust, " and the victory completed a clean sweep for USA Hockey after the women also defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime on Thursday. Hughes reflected on the broader arc: "Your whole life you're always going up against things. There's always new adversities, new challenges. Every single player in that game went through so many things.... It's a journey, the whole lifetime of work. I'm just a part of that. I think every single person in that game can be proud. Obviously, a great game and we had the better outcome but just a great game between USA and Canada. " The noted other teammates figured that Jack Hughes will be just fine wit
The United States' men's hockey gold was the country's first since the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" team that upset the heavily favored Soviet Union at Lake Placid.
Photos from Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, captured Hughes (No. 86) celebrating and teammates such as Clayton Keller (No. 91) reacting as they received their gold medals.
Sunday's final combined the chipped front-tooth drama, Hellebuyck's 41 saves and a 3-on-3 overtime finish to deliver a long-awaited Olympic title for the U. S. men's program.
