Front of the net: Jack Hughes' overtime goal delivers U.S. men's hockey Olympic gold
Jack Hughes scored the golden goal in 3-on-3 overtime to give the United States a 2-1 victory over Canada at the Milan Cortina Games, and he did it despite having a chipped front tooth after a late high stick.
Front of the net: Hughes ends gold-medal game in overtime
Hughes, a 24-year-old forward for the New Jersey Devils, finished the game a little more than 1 1/2 minutes into extra time with the decisive shot past Canadian goalie Jordan Binnington, sealing a 2-1 win on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Milan.
How the play unfolded
Zach Werenski wrestled the puck away from Canada's Nathan MacKinnon and sent a cross-ice feed to an open Hughes, who finished in 3-on-3 overtime. ’s account places the goal less than two minutes into the extra period, and that sequence — puck theft by Werenski and the cross-ice pass — set up the winner.
Hellebuyck’s night: 41 saves and a series of stops
U. S. goalie Connor Hellebuyck stopped 41 shots to keep the game tied through regulation and into overtime. His signature moments included 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.
Hellebuyck arrived in Milan as the reigning Vezina and Hart Trophy winner and delivered what Matthew Tkachuk called, "one of the best performances of all time — it has to" be ranked with historic U. S. goaltending moments. Dylan Larkin added, "That guy should never buy a drink in [his home] state of Michigan ever again. " Hellebuyck also addressed critics, saying, "Those critics, they can keep writing, " with the rest of his comment unclear in the provided context.
Teeth, penalties and a four-minute power play
Hughes had at least one front tooth chipped in the third period after taking a high-sticking penalty from Sam Bennett; the call produced a four-minute power play for the U. S. He later said, "My first thought was, draw the penalty, " and added, "Actually, my first thought, I looked on the ice and saw my teeth. " He has had a tooth knocked out in an NHL game a few years earlier as well.
Matt Boldy quipped, "More people are going to be looking at his medal than his teeth, " and other teammates signaled confidence that Hughes would be fine after the game; that fuller reaction is unclear in the provided context.
Celebration, praise and a clean sweep for USA Hockey
After Hughes' goal, gloves went flying as Team USA celebrated on the ice and teammates embraced in what defenseman Charlie McAvoy described as "a complete blackout. " McAvoy said he could not remember who he was hugging and called the feeling "pure joy. " P. K. Subban was full of praise for the U. S. men's team in a 2: 07 clip following the victory.
The win completed a sweep for USA Hockey at the Games: the U. S. women also defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime on Thursday to take gold.
Family, redemption and the aftermath in Milan
Jack’s older brother, Quinn Hughes, 26, a U. S. defenseman, called his brother "a freaking gamer" and an "American hero, " saying, "Just mentally tough, been through a lot, loves the game. " Quinn also said, "No one loves the game more than him... He’s a gamer. He made it happen. "
For Hellebuyck, the performance was framed as a personal redemption after a difficult 2025 Stanley Cup playoff that saw him pulled three times in the first-round series against the St. Louis Blues while playing for the Winnipeg Jets.
It is unclear in the provided context what Team USA’s next game or public schedule is after the medal celebration in Milan.
