02/22/26 11:17:00
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02/22 11:15 CST Hughes scores in overtime as US beats Canada for first men's
hockey gold at the Olympics since 1980
Hughes scores in overtime as US beats Canada for first men's hockey gold at the
Olympics since 1980
By STEPHEN WHYNO
AP Hockey Writer
MILAN (AP) --- The United States is on top of the hockey world for the first
time in nearly a half-century. No miracle needed.
Jack Hughes scored in overtime and the U.S. beat Canada 2-1 in the gold medal
final at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Sunday, earning the nation's third men's
title at the Games and its first since the "Miracle on Ice" in 1980 --- 46
years to the day of the upset over the mighty Soviet Union, too.
Unlike that ragtag group of college kids that pulled off one of the biggest
shockers in sports history, the Americans in Milan were a machine that rode
goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and a roster full of NHL players through the
tournament unbeaten. Still, they were underdogs again against the stacked
Canadians and came out on top --- again.
"This is all about our country right now," said Hughes, who lost at least one
and maybe two of his front teeth taking a high stick during the game. "I love
the U.S.A. I love my teammates. It's unbelievable. The USA Hockey brotherhood
is so strong."
Hughes' goal off the rush off a pass from Zach Werenski 1:41 into 3-on-3 OT
sent players into a wild celebration as Canada's entire team watched from the
bench. There was a hint of sadness amid all the joy as Werenski and Matthew
Tkachuk carried a Johnny Gaudreau No. 13 jersey around the ice as the latest
tribute to the beloved player who was killed along with his brother in 2024.
Gaudreau's parents, Guy and Jay, his widow, Meredith, and their oldest children
were in attendance. It was John Jr.'s second birthday and he was brought on the
ice with older sister Noa for the team photo.
"He was so near and dear to us," Brady Tkachuk said of the player known as
"Johnny Hockey." "We did it for him."
Hellebuyck was by far the best player on the ice, stopping 41 of the 42 shots
he faced as Canada tilted the ice toward him. He made the save of the
tournament by getting his stick on the puck on a shot from Devon Toews in the
third period, then minutes later denied Macklin Celebrini on a breakaway ---
something he also did to Connor McDavid earlier.
"Unbelievable game by Hellebuyck," Hughes said. "He was our best player by a
mile."
It was only fitting the Americans needed to go through Canada, their northern
neighbor that beat them at the 4 Nations Face-Off a year ago and has won every
international competition over the past 16 years that featured the world's best
players.
Not anymore.
Winning a fast-paced, riveting game that was full of big hits and plenty of
post-whistle altercations, the U.S. got a goal from Matt Boldy 6 minutes in and
led until Cale Makar tied it late in the second period. Hellebuyck and the
penalty kill was a perfect 18 for 18 at the Olympics.
"I can't even believe this," Hughes said. "I mean it's such an unbelievable
game, USA-Canada. Such a good game. There's so many great players. We're a
great team. That's exactly how we wanted it to go. We're underdogs to Canada,
(but we) beat them. It could have gone either way."
Hughes paid a painful price when he took the high stick and wound up face down
on the ice. The teeth were out, but the celebration wasn't far away.
"More people are going to be looking at his medal than his teeth," winger Matt
Boldy said.
The U.S. finally came through after generations of churning out talent from the
grassroots level like a production line. All but two of the 25 players on the
team went through USA Hockey's National Team Development Program.
That group of 23 includes captain Auston Matthews, the top line of Brady and
Matthew Tkachuk and Jack Eichel, and the second set of brothers, Jack and Quinn
Hughes. Much of the team played together either at the program, under-18s, the
world junior championship or some combination of them.
The U.S. winning silenced criticism of general manager Bill Guerin and his
management group choosing a roster full of experienced veteran players to fill
specific roles and leaving four of the top 10 American goal-scorers in the NHL
this season at home. Some decisions were no-doubters, like coach Mike Sullivan
giving the net to Hellebuyck.
Canada, back-to-back Olympic champions in 2010 and '14 and winners of three of
the first five, fell short while playing without injured captain Sidney Crosby.
The 38-year-old two-time gold medalist and three-time Stanley Cup champion left
the quarterfinal game against Czechia and sat out the semifinal game against
Finland.
McDavid, who wore the "C" in Crosby's absence, suffered another devastating
defeat on the doorstep of a title. He and the Edmonton Oilers have lost to
Matthew Tkachuk and the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final each of the
past two years.
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AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics
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