Jack Hughes Hockey: jack hughes hockey’s overtime goal and chipped tooth deliver U.S. gold in Milan
Jack Hughes scored the overtime winner as the United States defeated Canada 2-1 to capture Olympic men’s hockey gold at the Milan Cortina Games, a historic first U. S. men’s title since 1980. The win matters now because Hughes did it with a bloody, partly missing smile and Connor Hellebuyck was sensational in net, stopping 41 shots to carry the team into overtime.
Jack Hughes Hockey: how the golden goal unfolded
The decisive play came in 3-on-3 overtime when Zach Werenski wrestled the puck away from Canada’s Nathan MacKinnon and sent a cross-ice feed to an open Jack Hughes, who finished past Canadian goalie Jordan Binnington. The goal came less than two minutes into the extra period — after a little more than 1 1/2 minutes of extra time — and sealed a 2-1 victory for the United States.
High stick, chipped tooth and a four-minute power play
Hughes took a high-sticking penalty from Sam Bennett in the third period and had at least one front tooth chipped on the play, which produced a four-minute power play for the U. S. Hughes said his first thought was to draw the penalty and that he looked on the ice and saw his teeth. He has lost teeth before: he previously had one knocked out in an NHL game a few years ago. Teammate Matt Boldy quipped that more people will be looking at Hughes’ medal than his teeth.
Connor Hellebuyck’s 41-save game and key stops
U. S. goalie Connor Hellebuyck stopped 41 shots to keep the game tied through regulation and into overtime. His biggest 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 entered the tournament as the reigning Vezina and Hart Trophy winner, and his performance was framed as a personal redemption after a rough 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs in which he was pulled three times in the first round against the St. Louis Blues. Matthew Tkachuk called the outing "one of the best performances of all time, " comparing it to Jimmy Craig in 1980, and Dylan Larkin joked that Hellebuyck should never buy a drink in Michigan again. Hellebuyck said, "Those critics, they can keep writing. But they don't understand goaltending. They don't understand my game. "
Celebration on the ice and the broader U. S. sweep
After Hughes' winning goal the gloves went flying as Team USA celebrated on the ice. Defenseman Charlie McAvoy said he experienced a complete blackout after the goal, not knowing who he was hugging and unable to explain the euphoria. P. K. Subban was full of praise for the U. S. men’s team following the victory. American players had adopted a "gold or bust" mantra in the months before the tournament, and the men’s gold capped a clean sweep for USA Hockey: the U. S. women also defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime for the gold medal on Thursday.
Family, history and images from Milan
Hughes’ older brother, Quinn Hughes, 26, a U. S. defenseman, offered strong praise, saying no one loves the game more than Jack and calling him a gamer who made it happen; Quinn also called Jack a "freaking gamer, " "mentally tough, " someone who has been through a lot and an "American hero. " Photographers Carolyn Kaster and Luca Bruno captured images of Jack Hughes and Clayton Keller reacting and receiving their gold medals in Milan, Italy, on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. The Americans’ men’s gold was the country’s first in Olympic men’s hockey since the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" team that upset the Soviet Union at Lake Placid.
Other teammates figured that Jack Hughes would be just fine — unclear in the provided context.
