Winter Olympics 2026: USA beat Canada in overtime thriller to win first ice hockey gold medal since 1980 at Milano Cortina - 'Means so much'

The final gold medal of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina went to USA as they beat Canada in the men's ice hockey final. Jack Hughes netted the winner in overtime to give USA a 2-1 victory and their first gold in the event since 1980. USA finished the Olympics with a record 12 gold medals, beating their previous best of 10 in 2002, and behind only Norway (18) in the final medal table.

USA won men’s ice hockey gold for the first time since 1980 as they beat rivals Canada with an overtime winner at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina.

Jack Hughes decided a gripping and hard-fought contest with the sudden-death goal as the USA claimed the final gold of the Games.

It is USA’s first Olympic men’s gold since the ‘Miracle on Ice’ win over the Soviet Union 46 years ago and secures the double after the USA also beat Canada in overtime in the women’s ice hockey.

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"This is all about our country right now," Hughes told NBC. "That's American hockey right there. That's a great Canadian team but this means so much. We are such a team. The USA brotherhood in this team is so strong.

"I cannot believe this. It could have gone either way tonight."

Hughes had two of his teeth knocked out in the third period when he was hit across the face, but he recovered to score the winner.

"I looked down at the ice and saw my teeth. I was like 'here we go again'," said Hughes, who had a tooth knocked out in an NHL game a few years ago.

"The best experiences I have are playing for my country, playing to break the golden drought with this group of guys and for us to win gold here at the Olympics."

USA v Canada was the gold-medal match that many neutrals wanted to see, with NHL stars returning to the Games after a 12-year absence.

Matt Boldy had given USA the lead just six minutes into the contest.

Canada, missing captain Sidney Crosby due to injury, levelled in the second period through Cale Makar.

USA went close to restoring their advantage when a shot from Brock Faber hit both posts.

USA star Jack Hughes loses teeth in brutal hit... before going on to score winner

Video credit: TNT Sports

There were no further goals in regulation time, with the USA goaltender Connor Hellebuyck one of the standout players with 40 saves over the 60 minutes.

In sudden-death overtime, it was Hughes who decided it as he fired home to spark wild celebrations.

"Unbelievable game by Hellebuyck. He was our best player by far," added Hughes.

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The result means the USA finish the Olympics with a record 12 gold medals, beating their previous best of 10 in 2002.

They are second in the final medal table behind Norway, who won 18 gold medals.

Canada finished the Games with five gold medals.

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Watch the Milano Cortina 2026 Closing Ceremony live on discovery+. Available across all subscription plans, starting at £3.99.

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