The USA Take Gold for the First Time Since “Miracle on Ice”

After a game full of energy and passion between the two biggest rival nations in hockey, the United States earned a historic win for the team after Jack Hughes scored in overtime. Dive into the historical significance of the win, the stories behind the players and a recap of the captivating game.

(Image credit to The New York Times)

The United States last won gold at the Olympics in 1980, the win famously known as “Miracle on Ice.” After a game against the Soviet Union in New York's Lake Placid, the US team beat the favoured four-time defending gold medalist team with a 4-3 win. The average age of the US team was 21, making it the youngest team in US history to play in the Olympics. Head coach Herb Brooks managed the young team exceptionally well, with his intimate knowledge of individual limits and strengths and how to use them to secure the win. Since February 22nd, 1980, the United States hockey teams hadn’t seen Olympic gold for 46 years, that is, until last night. 

An incredibly tense game between North American rivals Canada and the United States saw fans from both sides on the edge of their seats. Despite Canada’s strong possession in the first period, Minnesota Wild’s Matt Boldy managed the first goal of the game for the US, putting them up 1-0 for the period and into the break. Canada knew they had to fight back. Towards the end of the second period, defender Cale Makar stepped up and shot the equalising goal for Canada, ending the period at 1-1. The third period was the closest, with a mountain of penalties, power-plays, and Jack Hughes losing a tooth or two, both teams gave their all to try and find a winning goal, but they were unable to capitalise during the 3rd and final period, sending the game to overtime. The tension in the rink was palpable as the teams prepared for one of the most high-stakes games in their careers. After more back and forth between teams, just two minutes in, New Jersey Devils’ Jack Hughes, assisted by Zach Werenski, scored the gold medal goal, sending the stadium into a frenzy. Quinn Hughes, Jack Hughes’ older brother, also a defender on Team USA, was one of the first over to him to celebrate the life-changing moment. Their family in the audience was seen on the jumbotron celebrating, most notably, their mother, Ellen Hughes who is also the player development consultant for the US women's national ice hockey team. 

A beautifully heartwarming tribute for the late Johnny Gaudreau was done by the US team, with Auston Matthews, Zach Werenski (his Columbus Blue Jackets teammate) and Matthew Tkachuk skating a lap around the rink holding out his USA team jersey, to honour him. Gaudreau’s family were also in the stands at the game, and the players invited his children down onto the ice for photo opportunities with the gold medals. 

As always with final games, when one team wins, and another loses. Canada looked crushed by the defeat. Young star Macklin Celebrini spent the USA celebration time with his head resting on the bench. Cale Makar and Nathan Mackinnon were also noticeably shaken by the loss, and most emotional, was Canada captain Sidney Crosby, who was unable to play in the final game due to injury. Crosby is 38 years old and this was predicted to be his final Olympics before retirement, a crushing blow and being unable to play in the game was certainly not how he wished the tournament and his Olympic career would end.

With the Stanley Cup playoffs close approaching, players won’t have much time to celebrate and party, or sit with their disappointment, as they’ll be expected to hop right back to the regular program as they return home. American players will be playing to add another win to the 2026 achievements, and Canadian players will be fighting for a win, along with other Olympic athletes who missed out on the opportunity to make it to finals and also athletes who missed out on places on Olympic rosters altogether. 

As exciting as this tournament was, there is a long road ahead for hockey fans and athletes, so as this chapter closes, prepare for the chaos of the play-off season!

Article written by Milla Sinfield