• Emily KaplanFeb 22, 2026, 10:57 AM ETFollow

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MILAN — Jack Hughes may have lost some teeth along the way, but his hockey smile is even bigger with a gold medal around his neck.

For the first time since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice,” the United States won an Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey as Hughes scored the golden goal in 3-on-3 overtime for a 2-1 win against rival Canada on Sunday.

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U.S. goalie Connor Hellebuyck, meanwhile, was sensational, stopping 41 shots to keep the game tied heading into OT.

Hughes’ goal, less than two minutes into the extra period, was assisted by Zach Werenski, who wrestled the puck away from Canada’s Nathan MacKinnon and sent a cross-ice feed to an open Hughes.

“He’s a freaking gamer. He’s always been a gamer,” Jack’s brother, U.S. defenseman Quinn Hughes, said. “Just mentally tough, been through a lot, loves the game. American hero.”

Jack Hughes had at least one front tooth chipped in the third period, when he took a high-sticking penalty from Sam Bennett, which resulted in a four-minute power play for the U.S.

“My first thought was, draw the penalty,” Hughes said. “Actually, my first thought, I looked on the ice and saw my teeth.”

Added Matt Boldy: “More people are going to be looking at his medal than his teeth.”

American players talked a big game in the months leading up to the tournament, often repeating a mantra of “gold or bust” — and backed that up with a win over their biggest rivals. It was a clean sweep for USA Hockey, as the women also defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime for the gold medal on Thursday.

“Your whole life you’re always going up against things,” Hughes said. “There’s always new adversities, new challenges. Every single player in that game went through so many things. … It’s a journey, the whole lifetime of work. I’m just a part of that. I think every single person in that game can be proud. Obviously, a great game and we had the better outcome but just a great game between USA and Canada.”

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After Hughes’ winning goal, the gloves went flying as Team USA celebrated on the ice.

“I can’t wait to see the footage of what happened after we scored, because it was a complete blackout,” defenseman Charlie McAvoy said. “Who I was hugging, where I was going … I don’t know what happened. It was just euphoria. I can’t even explain what I was feeling, just pure joy.”

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Hellebuyck had several signature moments, the biggest coming in the third period, when he used his paddle to stop Devon Toews from tucking a rebound into a gaping net. He also stuffed Connor McDavid on a breakaway halfway through the second period.

“It’s going to go down as one of the best performances of all time — it has to,” Matthew Tkachuk said of Hellebuyck. “Right up there with Jimmy Craig [in 1980], all the great United States goaltenders. In the NHL, whatever type of hockey, whatever goaltending performance you want to talk about, that’s right up there. “

Added Dylan Larkin: “That guy should never buy a drink in [his home] state of Michigan ever again.”

Writer / Penulis : SN