Jack Hughes hit the golden goal for the United States in a sensational overtime 2-1 victory against Canada to clinch gold at the Winter Olympics in Italy.
Hughes, who appeared lose teeth from an incident in the third quarter, scored 1:41 into overtime to spark pandemonium in Milan and all across the United States. It is the country’s first gold in men’s hockey since the ‘Miracle on Ice’ in 1980 and 46 years to the day since that win over the Soviet Union.
As Donald Trump took to Truth Social to praise the team for winning gold, an emotional Hughes said seconds after his goal: ‘This is all about our country right now. I love the USA. I’m so proud to be American today. I love my country, I love my teammates.
‘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, so much support from ex-players. I cannot believe this. It could have gone either way tonight.’
Hughes will go down in history as the man who won it but the USA would have lost this game if it wasn’t for an extraordinary performance by goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who saved 41 of the 42 shots fired at him.
‘He was our best player tonight by a mile,’ Hughes said, and there won’t be anyone who disagrees. ‘Unbelievable game. Just a ballsy, gutsy win.’
Jack Hughes scores the historic golden goal as USA beat Canada for Olympic gold
Hughes appeared to lose teeth from a hit in the third quarter – not that he cared after the game
A stunned Hughes races over to his team to celebrate after clinching the gold medal
The historic goal from Hughes sparked bedlam in the arena in Milan on Sunday
Hughes, who is rumored to be dating Canadian pop star Tate McRae, also paid a gnarly price for his medal. He lost nearly all of a front tooth after getting struck in the face in the third quarter and blood was still coming from his mouth during his post-game celebrations.
The team will return to the United States on Monday. They were scheduled to fly into New York but with a blizzard approaching the Big Apple on Sunday, the team will fly to Miami instead.
Trump, meanwhile, took to Truth Social to praise Hughes and his team, writing on Sunday: ‘Congratulations to our great U.S.A. Ice Hockey team. THEY WON THE GOLD. WOW! WHAT A GAME!!!’
It had been a dream start for the Americans. Matt Boldy put the US ahead exactly six minutes into the game with his team’s first shot of the gold medal showdown.
He got the puck from Auston Matthews, batted it to himself off his stick blade to maneuver between Canadian defensemen Devon Toews and Cale Makar and slid a backhand past goalie Jordan Binnington.
In the second quarter, the momentum shifted and Canada started to take control of the game. They got the scores level with Cale Makar beating Connor Hellebuyck, the Canada pressure finally paying off with 1:44 left on the clock in the second period.
But the USA were desperately unlucky not to get back into the lead just a minute later.
A thundrours hit from Brock Faber hit the right and left post before rebounding out from the Canadian goal. It was desperately unlucky for the Americans, and very fortunate for Canada goalie Jordan Binnington.
Sunday’s win falls 46 years to the day from the ‘Miracle on Ice’ when USA beat Soviet Union
Hughes was the hero but rightly put all the praise on the USA goalie Connor Hellebuyck
Auston Matthews, Zach Werenski and Matthew Tkachuk hold up the late Johnny Gaudreau’s jersey as they celebrate on the ice after beating Canada
Hughes and his brother, Quinn, take a moment to celebrate together with the American flag
Canada were dealt a blow before the game had even started when it emerged Sidney Crosby was not healthy enough to compete.
The teams then brawled as the second period came to an end with the scores level, setting up a gripping do-or-die final quarter.
‘They did play on top of us, they got one and it’s a 1-1 game,’ USA’s Dylan Larkin said to NBC in the interval after the end of the second period. ‘What is there to say? 20 minutes, give it all you have. There’s nothing to save for it. Let’s make it a special period.’
But after 60 minutes of regulation time, the teams could not be split. Sudden death overtime it was and after an hour of grueling hockey, it was just 101 seconds later that the game was finally won.
The decision had been made on Saturday night, with Crosby and head coach Cooper discussing what was best for the team overall. Crosby’s teammates were also told the news before they went to bed.
But the news didn’t deflate the many Canadians inside the Milano Santagiulia arena – they very much seemed to outnumber the American supporters in Italy for the game.
The US team were loudly booed when they headed out onto the ice to warm up before being met with booming chants of ‘Let’s Go, Canada!’.
The family of the late Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were in the stands supporting the United States, though. Johnny’s son, Johnny Jr, was celebrating his second birthday on Sunday.
Cale Makar beat finally Hellebuyck for Canada to level the scores late in the second period
A brawl broke out between the two teams at the end of the second quarter in Milan
Matt Boldy scored to put the United States into the lead after six minutes against Canada
Canada fans were still fired up for the game despite the bad news before it started
Gaudreau’s jersey was also hanging up in the team locker room before the game. Ex-NHL player Johnny and his brother died when they were struck by an SUV while cycling in New Jersey in August 2024, the day before their sister’s wedding.
After Hughes got the overtime goal, Matthew Tkachuk carried a Gaudreau’s No. 13 around the ice.
This was the third gold medal meeting between the USA and Canada, with Canada winning the last two.
The game was also held 46 years to the day since the ‘Miracle on Ice’, when Team USA beat the Soviet Union 4-3 in the middle of the Cold War. They went on to beat Finland 4-2 in the gold medal game.
And now, they have another historic win to celebrate.
