Front: Jack Hughes lost teeth before Olympic gold-winning overtime goal
Jack Hughes lost some teeth before scoring the overtime goal that delivered a 2-1 Olympic men’s hockey gold for the United States, and the injury remained front and center in the aftermath of the victory in Milan. Hughes finished the match with a bloody mouth and a memorable winning play in extra time.
Front injury and overtime goal
In the men’s hockey final at the Milan Cortina Games in Milan, Italy, on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, the 24-year-old Jack Hughes took a stick to the mouth from Sam Bennett in the third period and was left “spittin’ chiclets. ” He lost some teeth before the game was decided in overtime.
How the injury unfolded
Hughes said, “I looked on the ice and saw my teeth, ” and added, “I was like, ‘Here we go again. ’” The forward, who is a member of the New Jersey Devils, had previously had one tooth knocked out in an NHL game a few years ago, too. Despite the hurt and the bloody mouth, he returned to play and ultimately scored the winner.
Hughes’ game-winning finish
With a little more than 1 1/2 minutes of extra time elapsed, Hughes scored past Canadian goalie Jordan Binnington to give the United States a 2-1 victory over Canada. The goal came in overtime and ended the final, handing the Americans the gold medal.
Hughes and family reaction
Hughes’ older brother, Quinn Hughes, 26, who is a defenseman for the Americans, praised him after the game. Quinn said, “No one loves the game more than him, ” and added, “He’s got so much passion. He’s a gamer. He made it happen. ”
Key game details, timing
The United States’ victory was the country’s first Olympic men’s hockey gold since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” team that upset the heavily favored Soviet Union at Lake Placid. The final score was 2-1 in favor of the Americans following Hughes’ overtime tally.
Photos and credits listed
Photographs accompanying the coverage show Jack Hughes wearing number 86 celebrating after the winning goal, and Clayton Keller wearing number 91 reacting after receiving his gold medal. Images were credited to Carolyn Kaster and Luca Bruno. The reporting text includes a truncated line: “Other teammates figured that Jack Hughes will be just fine wit” — unclear in the provided context.
The injury remained front in the minds of players and viewers: Hughes fought through a painful third-period high stick from Sam Bennett, continued to play with a bloody mouth and diminished bite, and then finished the game by beating Jordan Binnington in overtime to secure Olympic gold for the United States on Feb. 22, 2026.
Unclear in the provided context: any follow-up medical details, the full teammates’ reaction that was cut off in the source, and additional game breakdown beyond the sequence described above.
Photos: Carolyn Kaster; Luca Bruno.
