![The United States won men’s ice hockey gold at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics for the first time in 46 years. [Photo=Yonhap/Reuters]](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2026/02/23/20260223015130725385.jpg)
The Americans won Sunday (Korean time) at Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy, sealing the title on a goal by Jack Hughes 1:41 into overtime.
The victory gave the United States its first men’s Olympic hockey gold since the 1980 Lake Placid Games and its third gold medal overall in the event.
The United States also became the first country in Olympic ice hockey history to win both the men’s and women’s titles at the same Games. In the women’s final on Feb. 20, the Americans also beat Canada 2-1 in overtime to take gold, returning to the top for the first time since the 2018 Pyeongchang Games.
Canada, which assembled a “dream team” featuring many star players from the NHL, fell short in its bid for a 10th Olympic title. After winning gold at the 2014 Sochi Games, Canada has gone three straight Olympics without gold: bronze in 2018 in Pyeongchang and sixth place in 2022 in Beijing.
The matchup drew added attention ahead of the Games amid U.S.-Canada political and economic friction, including disputes over tariffs, with the rivals meeting for Olympic gold in a sport both consider a national strength.
The final was tight throughout. The United States struck first when Matt Boldy capitalized on a Canadian defensive mistake 6 minutes into the first period on a counterattack.
Canada tied it late in the second period, with 1:44 remaining, after Cale Makar beat the U.S. defense with a powerful shot to make it 1-1.
Canada pressed in the third, outshooting the United States 41-26 overall, but the Americans held on to force overtime. It was the third time an Olympic men’s hockey final went to overtime.
Hughes ended it early in the extra period, finishing a counterattack to deliver the gold medal.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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