After a 46-year wait, the U.S. ice hockey team finally defeated long-time rival Canada, securing its first Olympic hockey gold medal since 1980.
In the nerve-wracking overtime match, the American team defeated Canada 2-1. The hero of the game was Jack Hughes, who scored the winning goal to give the US its first championship since the famous ‘Miracle on Ice’ in 1980.
What makes the triumph even more exciting and special is that it took place on the exact same day as that epic 1980 win.
In the three-on-three overtime period, Hughes caught a pass from Zach Werenski and scored the winning goal just after 1 minute, 41 seconds. Despite having a bloody and chipped tooth after being hit by a stick earlier in the match, Hugh smiled a big winning smile.
As soon as Hugh scored the winning goal, his teammates ran onto the ice to celebrate and piled on top of him.
“The best experiences I have are playing for my country, playing to break the gold drought with this group of guys and for us to win gold here in the Olympics,” Hughes said.
The record victory at the 2026 Winter Olympics marks the end of the 46-year Olympic drought experienced by the US team since 1980.
After claiming the historic triumph, the Internet erupted with joyful reactions, sending congratulatory messages to the US hockey team.
US President Donald Trump went to X and congratulated the team: “Congratulations to our great US ice hockey team. THEY WON THE GOLD. WOW! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Former President Barack Obama also praised the unprecedented victory: “Congratulations to the US men’s and women’s hockey teams, Alysa Liu, Breezy Johnson, Mikaela Shiffrin and all the great Olympic athletes representing @TeamUSA.”
FBI director Kash Patel also celebrated the victory with the American team in the locker room.
He told
Charlie Clifford, Sports Director NBC5 Cincinnati also posted: “Brick Street in Oxford, OH response. Jack Hughes’ US Gold Medal OT winner.”
Brad Galli, sports director at WXYZDetroit TVpraised Jack Hughes, “Jack Hughes: Teen hockey phenom, No. 1 overall pick, recovering from injuries, NHL All-Star. USA OLYMPIC HERO FOREVER.”
