For the first time since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice,” Team USA has won Olympic gold in men’s hockey, defeating Canada 2–1 in overtime. Following the win, Team USA celebrated its third-ever gold medal victory by honoring the memory of the late Johnny Gaudreau.
Following their 6-2 victory over Slovakia in the semifinal, Team USA faced its toughest challenge yet: Team Canada, slight favorites coming into the game.
The U.S. found the back of the net six minutes into the game as Matt Boldy snuck the puck past the pads of Canadian goalie Jordan Binnington on a breakaway assisted by Auston Matthews and Quinn Hughes.
Team Canada tied the game in the closing minutes of the second period when Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar found the back of the net. The lone goal was the only blemish in an otherwise spectacular performance by Team USA goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who had 41 saves against 42 shots on goal.
With neither team able to score in the third period, the game went into 3-on-3 overtime tied at one. As Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski secured the puck in Team USA’s own end, he passed it to New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes, who poked the puck ahead into open ice, where Werenski chased it down in the offensive zone. Werenski would snap the puck right back to Hughes, who buried the game-winner less than two minutes into overtime.
"Your whole life, you're always going up against things," Hughes said. "There's always new adversities, new challenges. Every single player in that game went through so many things.
"It's a journey, the whole lifetime of work. I'm just a part of that. I think every single person in that game can be proud. Obviously, a great game, and we had the better outcome, but just a great game between USA and Canada."
Immediately following the goal, a celebration erupted on the ice as Team USA had secured the ultimate Olympic victory in arguably the most exciting of ways.
During the team’s celebration, Team USA captain Auston Matthews, Matthew Tkachuk and Werenski raised the jersey of the late Johnny Gaudreau to honor his memory. Following the medal ceremony, players from Team USA welcomed two of Gaudreau's kids onto the ice to take a picture with the team and their late father's jersey.
Gaudreau, a Salem County, NJ-native, would have been among the players eligible to play for this iteration of Team USA, but was killed alongside his brother Matthew in 2024 when they were struck by an alleged drunk driver while riding bicycles.
He may not have been with the team physically, but he was in spirit as Team USA hung Gaudreau's jersey in their locker room during each game of the tournament.
“He’s had a big impact on a lot of guys in our room. A lot of guys grew up with him, played with him, spent a lot of time with him,” Team USA captain Auston Matthews said, adding that the jersey was “just a subtle reminder that him and his brother, they’re with us in spirit.”
Though he never played in the Olympic Games, as the NHL did not participate in the 2018 or 2022 tournaments, Gaudreau was a decorated international player for Team USA, winning the 2013 World Junior gold and competing in five IIHF World Championships.
