Social Media Erupts After USA Hockey Wins First Gold Medal Since 1980
Feb 22, 2026, 11:53 AM
Players of Team United States celebrate winning the gold medals after the team's 2-1 overtime victory in 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – In a game for the ages, the United States Men’s hockey team made history as they captured the Nation’s first gold since 1980 in a 2-1 OT victory over Team Canada.
Facing a juggernaut of Canadian forwards in arguably the most talented Olympic final in history, Jack Hughes overtime winner sent social media into a frenzy as the Americans captured gold.
RED, WHITE, BLUE AND GOLD. TEAM USA IS BRINGING HOME THE #WINTEROLYMPICS GOLD. 🇺🇸🦅 pic.twitter.com/tbv1BILBDj
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) February 22, 2026
Social media reacts to USA Hockey’s historic win
JACK HUGHES DELIVERS AMERICA’S GOLDEN MOMENT IN OVERTIME. pic.twitter.com/4foFDOri53
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 22, 2026
THE UNITED STATES HAS WON GOLD IN MENS ICE HOCKEY FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1980!!!
46 YEARS IN THE MAKING!!!
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) February 22, 2026
JACK HUGHES. OUR GOLDEN BOY. OUR GOLDEN STAR. pic.twitter.com/HgzdZOrPn8
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) February 22, 2026
This is such a wonderful interview.
Jack Hughes: team first, complete selfless humility, love of USA and USA hockey. Boyhood wonder, shock, pure happiness. An elevated state of grace. Gold. https://t.co/S6mxvMKrqz— BucciOT.Com (@Buccigross) February 22, 2026
What a photo.
Jack Hughes gave it his all 👏❤️
(📸: Elsa/ Getty Images) pic.twitter.com/orN2RLPQrN
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 22, 2026
ONLY in hockey can you lose a couple teeth earlier in a game and come back and hit the game winner!
Jack Hughes is a BADASS and a HERO!
Congrats boys!
Hollebuyck will forever be a legend! @usahockey— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) February 22, 2026
UUUUUUUUSSSAAAAAAASDSAASDFDFSAASDFAFSDASDASDEQWD
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) February 22, 2026
This was beautiful. Team USA brought Johnny Gaudreau’s jersey, where it was on display in its room. Today is Johnny Gaudreau Jr’s second birthday pic.twitter.com/9NFHSRofFz
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 22, 2026
Jack Hughes 🇺🇸 wins it for USA.
Freeeeeeeeeee bird.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) February 22, 2026
USA WINS GOLD!!!! Clayton Keller 🫵 are an Olympic Gold Medalist! 🥇
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) February 22, 2026
What a moment for Hockey. All of North America should be proud!!! 🏒
— Ryan Smith (@RyanQualtrics) February 22, 2026
This 👇🏼 https://t.co/LAZnS9LkPv
— Ryan Smith (@RyanQualtrics) February 22, 2026
So proud of @utahmammoth‘s own Clayton Keller and the entire Team USA 🇺🇸🥇 https://t.co/nEFwVBB7SP
— Governor Cox (@GovCox) February 22, 2026
Congratulations to our great U.S.A. Ice Hockey team. THEY WON THE GOLD. WOW! President DONALD J. TRUMP pic.twitter.com/OHPLsdO2NC
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 22, 2026
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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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