TC Martin

USA Wins Gold 46 Years Later

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The United States has a new Golden Generation. Jack Huges is the poster boy after he scored one of the most dramatic goals in Olympic hockey history, 1:41 into overtime to give Team USA a 2-1 win against Team Canada in the gold medal game of the men's hockey tournament at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 at Santaguilia Arena on Sunday.

 

The goal, off a pass from Zach Werenski during 3-on-3 play, slid through the five-hole of Canada goalie Jordan Binnington and delivered the much-awaited gold medal for this American squad, placing it on the same pedestal as the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” team. The win came on the 46th anniversary of the improbable 4-3 victory against the Soviet Union during the medal round in Lake Placid, New York.

 

“I can't even believe this,” said Hughes, smiling despite losing a few teeth when he was high-sticked earlier in the game. “I mean, it's such an unbelievable game, USA-Canada. That's such a good game. They have so many great players. We're a great team. “That's exactly how we wanted it to go. We wanted to go through Canada and beat them. It’s an unbelievable win for the Americans.”

 

Canada had not lost an Olympic game involving NHL players since the 2010 Vancouver Games, when the Americans defeated the Canadians in round-robin play. Canada got revenge in overtime of that tournament, winning on a Golden Goal by Sidney Crosby. Four years later, it defeated Sweden for gold.

 

Pandemonium broke out after the Hughes’ goal; the players leaping onto the ice in waves, tossing equipment into the sky, bearhugging the New Jersey Devils forward along the wall in front of the penalty box. The Team USA goal song, “Free Bird,” played in the background, fighting with the “USA, USA,” chants from the crowd.

 

“There is no better feeling in the world,” said U.S. defenseman Charlie McAvoy, wrapped in an American flag. “This is that. I can’t wait to see the footage of what happened after we scored because it was a complete blackout, who I was hugging, where I was going.

 

“It was just euphoria, man. I can’t even explain what I was feeling. Just pure joy.”

Hughes was in the spotlight afterwards, but the victory was built on the back of goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who made 41 saves, many of the highlight-reel variety, especially during a 19-8 advantage by Canada in the second period. . It’ll go down as one of the best performances of all-time, right up there with Jimmy Craig (Team USA goalie in 1980). If we don’t have him, we don’t win.”