Jack Hughes scores overtime winner as U.S. tops Canada for Olympic hockey gold
jack hughes scored the game-winning goal early in overtime as the United States defeated Canada 2-1 on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Milan to claim the men's Olympic hockey gold — the country's first Olympic hockey title since 1980.
Jack Hughes finishes it in overtime
Hughes — listed with jersey number 86 in postgame photos — beat Canadian goaltender Jordan Binnington with the golden goal to end the contest in sudden death. The winning shot came early in the extra period and sealed a 2-1 victory for Team USA in the gold-medal game at the Milano Cortina Olympics in Milan, Italy on Feb. 22, 2026.
Boldy opened, Makar tied it, third period was scoreless
Matt Boldy opened the scoring in the first period, splitting two Canadian defenders and getting a shot past Binnington. Cale Makar tied the game in the second period, and neither side scored in the third, sending the final between the United States and Canada to overtime.
Connor Hellebuyck’s 40-save night and tournament performance
American goaltender Connor Hellebuyck stopped 40 shots in the gold-medal game and made key late-game saves that helped keep the match level into overtime. Hellebuyck was described as impressive for Team USA throughout the Olympics, and broadcasters highlighted one standout stop with the call, "THAT WAS ONE HELLE-BUYCK OF A STOP. "
Tournament totals and the cracked-tooth image
Across the Milano Cortina tournament, jack hughes finished with four goals, seven points and a plus-8 rating, numbers that accompanied the golden goal that made him an Olympic gold medalist. Images from the celebration showed Hughes sporting cracked teeth after the winning moment, and social posts captured what broadcasters called an "all-time" quote from him after the victory.
Team tribute for Johnny Gaudreau
After the win over Canada, the Americans carried the late Johnny Gaudreau’s jersey onto the ice to honour the former Team USA mainstay. Captain Auston Matthews, alternate Matthew Tkachuk and defenceman Zach Werenski — who played alongside Gaudreau on the Columbus Blue Jackets — held up Gaudreau’s sweater while taking a lap following the gold-medal celebration. Team USA also brought Johnny Gaudreau's kids onto the ice for the team photo.
Reactions: Trump, coaches and commentary
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social: "Congratulations to our great U. S. A. Ice Hockey team. THEY WON THE GOLD. WOW!" He added, "WHAT A GAME!!!" and "LOTS OF WINNING!!!" The president's political prodding of Canada was noted as a factor that helped reignite the rivalry, which began last year when Team USA and Canada fought each other during the 4 Nations Face-Off.
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. " Commentators and outlets also framed the win as ending Canada’s dominance in best-on-best hockey: "Finally. Forty-six years after the United States won its last men’s hockey gold medal at the Olympics, the U. S. has reached the top of the mountain again, ending Canada’s dominance in best-on-best hockey Sunday afternoon, " wrote one outlet.
On club-level commentary, Infernal Access called the New Jersey Devils "one of the league’s biggest disappointments — but there are still several positives beneath the surface. " Devils on the Rush wrote, "The New Jersey Devils need to get younger and more skilled. Who could they target to do so?"
Photographs from the medal ceremony and rink showed the gold medal after the game in Milan on Feb. 22, 2026, and social media posts from broadcast partners and hockey accounts captured the overtime finish and Hellebuyck's standout saves.
It is unclear in the provided context what Team USA's next game or schedule is.
