The Golden Hat Trick: Hellebuyck Wall, Hughes Heroics Call Game As Team USA Wins First Gold Medal Since 1980
Feb 22, 2026, 11:14 AM | Updated: 11:26 am
Gold medalists, Team United States, pose for a team photo during the medal ceremony following the Men's Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – They’ll forever be known as the boys of 26′ as the United States men’s hockey team won the first Olympic gold in nearly half a century for the Stars and Stripes in a game for the ages over Team Canada.
Exactly 46 years to the day after the 1980 Miracle, Jack Hughes electrified an entire Nation as he beat Jordan Binnington in overtime to send American sticks and helmets soaring in celebration.
Here are the key takeaways from USA Hockey’s historic 2-1 victory over Canda.
JACK HUGHES DELIVERS AMERICA’S GOLDEN MOMENT IN OVERTIME. pic.twitter.com/4foFDOri53
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 22, 2026
A game for the ages as Canada and the United States required OT to decide a winner
This was every hockey fans dream scenario.
A gold medal on the line between the United States and Canada as NHL players returned to the Olympics for the first time since 2014.
What followed was absolutely electric.
Despite just a 2-1 victory for the United States in overtime, all 62 minutes were filled with unmatchable speed, brutal hits, mesmerizing plays and spectacular saves as two juggernauts battled relentlessly for the gold.
Striking first, Matt Boldy had everyone’s jaws on the floor as he chipped two of the best defensemen in the world (Cale Makar & Devon Toews), split the pair and then beat Jordan Binnington short side to give USA an early 1-0 lead.
Matt Boldy splits the defense by going airborne with the puck & then beats Binnington short side to give USA a 1-0 lead.pic.twitter.com/2YjN9kXCGT
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 22, 2026
But Canada wasn’t simply going to just roll over.
Overflowing with sheer offensive talent, Canada put on a clinic in the United States zone as they totaled 42 shots, and eventually, Cale Makar broke through.
After winning the offensive zone faceoff back to No. 8, Makar took advantage of the space he was given as he quickly approached the net and then sniped Connor Hellebuyck blocker side to tie the game at one.
The United States & Canada are tied 1-1 through 40 minutes after Cale Makar beat Hellebuyck blocker side late in the period.
Canada leads SOG 27-16.
One more period to decide who takes home the gold.pic.twitter.com/3c1aUw9c0m
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 22, 2026
Into the final frame, the ice tilted heavily in favor of Canada as they suffocated the U.S. with an overwhelming number of shots that nearly found the back of the net.
However, one man stood on his head all game to immortalize himself in U.S. hockey history.
Connor Hellebuyck offered the performance of a lifetime to lead USA to gold
There is no other way to put it.
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was simply sensational in the gold medal game for the United States.
Shot after shot, rush after rush, breakaway after breakaway, Hellebuyck offered a historic performance between the pipes as he moved heaven and earth to stop nearly every Canadian puck.
Didn’t matter how they came towards him either.
Whether he faced the greatest player in the world one-on-one or if he had nothing between him and the net but the paddle of his stick, Hellebuyck was the most valuable player on the ice.
HELLEBUYCK STANDS TALL AGAIN TO KEEP IT TIED. 💪 pic.twitter.com/hJXOSwqOhC
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 22, 2026
THAT WAS ONE HELLE-BUYCK OF A STOP. 😳 pic.twitter.com/N3wCimdBGw
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 22, 2026
Coming into the tournament, there was a lot of question regarding which goaltender Mike Sullivan would go with.
In possession of a star-studded goalie trio that included the likes of Jake Oettinger, Jeremy Swayman and Helleybuck, the United States could’ve gone in any direction.
However, almost immediately, it became clear that it was Hellebuyck’s net and he never once relinquished it.
To be brutally honest, the United States probably didn’t deserve to win that game.
But because of Hellebuyck and his 41 saves on 42 shots, the boys made history in Milan.
Hughes heroics called game as the Boys of 26′ made golden history
It was day of destiny.
46 years removed from their last gold, it was time.
No more excuses, no more silver medals, the day had come for the United States to win gold.
Didn’t matter how good Canada was or if they deserved to win more than the Americans.
The moment had arrived and even the great Mike Eruzione knew it was going to happen.
“This isn’t miracle. I’ve been saying it for a long time. It’s time. This is the best hockey team we’ve ever put on the ice,” the former USA captain and 1980 gold medalist said.
“It’s gonna be this team. This is their time.”
Mike Eruzione: “This isn’t miracle. I’ve been saying it for a long time. It’s time. This is the best hockey team we’ve ever put on the ice.”
“It’s gonna be this team. This is their time.”
Turn me up Cap 🫡🇺🇸pic.twitter.com/Iz2pJZYkID
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) February 22, 2026
He was right.
Despite a fierce effort by the Canadians in a game they probably should’ve won, a toothless Jack Hughes called game as he delivered the golden goal and put an entire nation at ease after nearly 50 years.
JACK HUGHES. THE MOMENT THAT WILL LIVE FOREVER. pic.twitter.com/Scbe23okx8
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 22, 2026
JACK. HUGHES. CALLED. GAME. 🚨 TEAM USA IS GOLDEN. #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/9zqacX2FJg
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) February 22, 2026
“This is all about our country right now,” Hughes said after scoring the OT winner.
“I love the USA…we’re so proud to be Americans. We’re so proud to win for our country.”
While the victory signaled the end of a 46-year drought, it also sparked a new era of hockey in the United States.
No more silver medals.
No more coming up just short.
Rather, a statement that should instill belief that USA Hockey has entered a golden era and it will only get better as this victory inspires the next great generation of American born hockey players.
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What’s next for Team USA Hockey?
At the conclusion of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan, the United States won gold in both men’s and women’s hockey for the first time in history.
The NHL will now resume play on February 25 while the PHWL resumes on the 26.
Cole Bagley is the Utah Mammoth insider for KSL Sports. Keep up with him on X here. You can hear Cole break down the team on KSL Sports Zone and KSL 5 TV.
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