Jack Hughes’s Overtime Strike Sends U.S. to Olympic Men's Hockey Gold
jack hughes scored the overtime winner early in extra time to lift the United States to a 2-1 victory over Canada in the men’s Olympic hockey final in Milan on Feb. 22, 2026, ending a 46-year gold drought. The victory matters now because it combined a decisive singular moment with sustained goaltending and tribute gestures that shaped the closing scenes of the Milano Cortina Games.
Jack Hughes’s overtime goal and tournament numbers
Jack Hughes, wearing No. 86, finished the tournament with four goals, seven points and a +8 rating and delivered the sudden-death golden goal that beat Canadian goaltender Jordan Binnington. Hughes, who played the decisive shot early in overtime past Binnington, was pictured on the ice sporting cracked teeth after the celebration and offered memorable remarks after the win. Across the Olympics, jack hughes produced the scoring and finishing touch that sealed Team USA’s claim on the top podium.
Connor Hellebuyck’s 40-save performance kept the U. S. alive
American goaltender Connor Hellebuyck stopped 40 shots in the final and was credited with several pivotal late saves that preserved the tie through regulation and allowed overtime to occur. Hellebuyck’s work over the tournament was described as impressive throughout the Olympics; a single standout stop in the game was highlighted repeatedly as the contest’s turning-point prevention. That goaltending performance directly produced the opportunity for Hughes’s overtime winner.
Key on-ice moments: Matt Boldy, Cale Makar and Jordan Binnington
Matt Boldy opened the scoring for the United States in the first period by splitting two Canadian defenders and getting his shot past Jordan Binnington. Canada’s Cale Makar answered with the equalizer in the second period. Neither side scored in the third period, and the 1-1 deadlock sent the final into 3-on-3 overtime where Hughes finished the game for Team USA, 2-1.
Tribute to Johnny Gaudreau led by Auston Matthews, Matthew Tkachuk and Zach Werenski
Following the win, the American team carried the late Johnny Gaudreau’s jersey onto the ice as a tribute. Captain Auston Matthews, alternate Matthew Tkachuk and defenceman Zach Werenski — who had played alongside Gaudreau on the Columbus Blue Jackets — held up Gaudreau’s sweater while taking a lap. Team USA also brought Johnny Gaudreau’s children onto the ice for the team photo, integrating an on-ice family moment into the postgame celebration.
Coach Jon Cooper’s view on overtime format and cross-border rivalry
Team Canada coach Jon Cooper said he was not using the 3-on-3 overtime format as an excuse for the loss but added that taking four players off the ice made the hockey "not hockey anymore. " The game capped a renewed rivalry between the two nations that was reignited in the preceding year during the 4 Nations Face-Off, a sequence observers said helped sharpen the edge entering this final.
Political reaction and surrounding commentary
President Donald Trump reacted on Truth Social after the final, writing: "Congratulations to our great U. S. A. Ice Hockey team. THEY WON THE GOLD. WOW!" He added, "WHAT A GAME!!!" and "LOTS OF WINNING!!!" Those messages followed earlier political prodding that some commentators said had intensified the competitive tone ahead of the Olympics. Separately, commentary circulating about the New Jersey Devils described the team as "one of the league’s biggest disappointments" while noting "several positives beneath the surface, " and suggested the Devils need to get younger and more skilled.
The United States’ victory at the Milano Cortina Games marks the country’s first men’s Olympic hockey gold since the 1980 team and ends Canada’s recent dominance in best-on-best Olympic competition. What makes this notable is the combination of a short, dramatic finish — an early overtime strike — and clear, measurable contributions across the tournament: a four-goal, seven-point output from Hughes, 40 saves by Hellebuyck, and a 2-1 final score that encapsulated a tightly contested championship.
