Seeing Double: USA Hockey Gold

A Golden Performance

As the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina wrapped up Sunday night, the United States came out golden during the final event, winning gold in men’s hockey against Canada in overtime. Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils scored the overtime winner just 1:41 into the extra period, becoming a new “American hero” to many U.S. hockey fans.

Speaking of “American heroes,” let’s bring up the real star of the gold medal game: Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who put on an unbelievable performance, rivaling United States goaltender Jim Craig when the U.S. defeated the Soviet Union in the 1980 Olympic Winter Games—also known as the “Miracle on Ice” to many hockey fans.

Craig recorded 36 saves on 39 shots in a 4-3 final against the Soviets while the U.S. was outshot 39-16. Hellebuyck arguably had an even better game, stopping 41 of 42 shots by Team Canada and holding them to just one goal.

After the game, Hellebuyck reflected on the moment.

“This is what you dream about as a kid — playing for your country with everything on the line. I just wanted to give our guys a chance, and they did the rest.”

Early in the game, Matt Boldy of the Minnesota Wild opened the scoring, making it 1-0 United States six minutes into the first period.

Deep into the 2nd period, the U.S. was leading 1-0 up until Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche fired one from the right circle, beating Connor Hellebuyck on the blocker side to tie the game up. Makar who’s one of the best defensemen in the NHL, currently has 58 points on the year for Colorado.

With no goals scored in the third period, the gold medal game headed to overtime. Barely a minute in, Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets sent a perfect tape-to-tape pass to Hughes, who buried it five-hole on Jordan Binnington to give the United States its first men’s gold medal since 1980 at Lake Placid.

The Standard

For the second time in the last decade, the United States women’s hockey team has won gold, adding to its historic Olympic legacy. Team USA was the first team in Olympic history to win gold in women’s hockey when it became a Winter Olympic sport in 1998.

Cammi Granato led the 1998 team, and now it was Hilary Knight’s turn to lead her squad back to the top. Knight delivered when it mattered most, tying the gold medal game late in the third period.

After the game, Knight spoke about the standard this team carries.

“We’ve built this standard over years — through heartbreak, through gold, through everything in between. This group never stopped believing.”

The first period featured strong defense and goaltending from Aerin Frankel and Canadian netminder Ann-Renée Desbiens. In the second period, Canada struck shorthanded to take a 1-0 lead, and the U.S. needed late-game heroics.

With under three minutes remaining in the third period, Frankel was pulled for the extra attacker. Captain Hilary Knight tipped the puck past Desbiens to tie the game 1-1.

Illinois native Kendall Coyne Schofield reflected on what wearing the jersey means.

“When you wear USA across your chest, it’s bigger than you. It’s about the girls watching at home who believe they can be here one day.”

Overtime followed, and it didn’t take long for the United States to push into the Canadian zone. Taylor Heise found Megan Keller, who deked around Claire Thompson and buried the puck to secure the United States’ first women’s gold medal since 2018.

Chicago-area native Abbey Murphy summed up the team’s mentality.

“This team fights for every inch. It doesn’t matter who scores — we win because we trust each other in every moment.”

This women’s squad finished the tournament outscoring opponents 28-2, cementing its place among the most dominant teams in Winter Olympic history.

That’s all for now. And as always — Play Free Bird!!!