by Greg Lahr ’26 on February 26, 2026
Sports - Olympics
Team USA is golden. For the first time since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice,” the United States of America has won an Olympic gold medal in men’s ice hockey, topping their archrival Canada 2–1 in overtime. Jack Hughes ripped home the golden goal for the Americans from a cross-ice feed from Zach Werenski and triggered “Free Bird” to blast from the speakers at Milano Santagiulia Arena for the final time. Meanwhile, USA goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was sensational, putting on a 1980 Jimmy Craig-esque performance with 41 saves to backstop the American victory. His biggest came in the third period, when he denied Devon Toews from putting in a rebound into a wide open net with a paddle save. Hellebuyck also had two clutch breakaway stops on Macklin Celebrini and Canadian captain Connor McDavid. “I’m so proud to be American today,” Jack Hughes said postgame, smiling through his missing teeth after taking a high stick to the face from Sam Bennett late in the third period. For Hughes, gold will always shine brighter than his front teeth.
Two days earlier, the USA women’s ice hockey team also defeated Canada 2–1 in overtime. Outscoring their opponents 31–1 up until the gold medal game, the U.S. women’s team steamrolled their way through the field. However, for the first time in the tournament, they found themselves down 1–0 for a majority of the game against Canada. That is, until Team USA Captain Hilary Knight deflected in a shot from the point to tie the game at one each with just over two minutes remaining. After that, the U.S. wouldn’t look back. Alternate Captain Megan Keller dangled around Canadian defender Claire Thompson in the extra session to score the golden goal and give the U.S. its first of two gold medals in ice hockey. None of that would have been possible without Aerin Frankel standing on her head in net, contributing 30 saves to the victory.
Two gold medal games, two USA gold medals, two Canadian losses, and two national anthems played. The United States is golden in men’s and women’s ice hockey once again at the 2026 Winter Olympics.