Golden Goal: Jack Hughes is in action as the USA beats Canada for gold at the Winter Olympics

MILAN (AP) — The United States is at the top of the hockey world for the first time in almost half a century. No miracle needed.

Jack Hughes scored in overtime and the US defeated Canada 2-1 the gold medal final at the Olympic Games in Milan Cortina on Sunday, clinching the country’s third men’s title at the Games and its first since the “Miracle on the Ice” in 1980 – also 46 years after the day of the unrest over the mighty Soviet Union.

Unlike that group of students who pulled off one of the biggest shockers in sports history, the Americans in Milan were a machine that drove goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck and a roster full of NHL players who went undefeated throughout the tournament. Still, they were once again the underdogs against the stacked Canadians and once again came out on top.

“This is all about our country now,” said Hughes, who lost at least one and maybe two of his front teeth during the match while taking a high stick. “I love USA. I love my teammates. It’s incredible. The USA hockey fraternity is so strong.”

Hughes’ goal off a pass from Zach Werenski (1:41 into 3-on-3 OT) sparked a wild celebration as the entire Canadian team watched from the bench. There was a hint of sadness amid all the joy as Werenski and Matthew Tkachuk wore a Johnny Gaudreau No. 13 jersey across the ice the latest tribute to the beloved player who was murdered along with his brother in 2024.

Gaudreau’s parents, Guy and Jay, his widow, Meredith, and their oldest children were in attendance. It was John Jr.’s second birthday. and he was brought onto the ice with older sister Noa for the team photo.

“He was so near and dear to us,” Brady Tkachuk said of the player known as “Johnny Hockey.” “We did it for him.”

Hellebuyck was by far the best player on the ice, stopping 41 of the 42 shots he faced as Canada tilted the ice toward him. He saved the tournament by getting his stick on the puck on a Devon Toews shot in the third period, then minutes later denied Macklin Celebrini on a breakaway – something he previously did to Connor McDavid.

“Incredible play by Hellebuyck,” Hughes said. “He was by far our best player.”

It was only fitting that the Americans had to go through Canada, their northern neighbor that defeated them in the 4 Nations Face-Off a year ago and has won every international competition involving the world’s best players for the past 16 years.

The US won a fast-paced, riveting match full of big hits and plenty of post-whistle altercations. Six minutes later, the U.S. got a goal from Matt Boldy and led until Cale Makar tied the score late in the second period. Hellebuyck and the penalty were a perfect 18 for 18 at the Olympics.

“I can’t even believe this,” Hughes said. “I mean, it’s such an incredible game, USA-Canada. Such a good game. There are so many great players. We’re a great team. That’s exactly how we wanted it to go. We’re the underdogs of Canada, (but we) beat them. It could have gone either way.”

Hughes paid a painful price when he grabbed the high stick and ended up face down on the ice. The teeth were out, but the party was not far away.

“More people will look at his medal than his teeth,” said winger Matt Boldy.

The US finally came through, after generations of churning out grassroots talent like a production line. All but two of the team’s 25 players have completed USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program.

That group of 23 includes captain Auston Matthews, the top line of Brady and Matthew Tkachuk and Jack Eichel, and the second set of brothers, Jack and Quinn Hughes. Much of the team played together on the programme, under 18s, World Junior Championships or a combination thereof.

The American victory silenced criticism of general manager Bill Guerin and his management group choosing a schedule packed with experienced veteran players to fill specific roles and leave four of the top 10 American goal scorers in the NHL at home this season. Some decisions were without question, like coach Mike Sullivan giving the net to Hellebuyck.

Canada, back-to-back Olympic champions in 2010 and ’14 and winners of three of their first five, fell short while playing without injured captain Sidney Crosby. The 38-year-old two-time gold medalist and three-time Stanley Cup champion exited the quarterfinal against the Czech Republic and sat out the semifinal against Finland.

McDavid, who wore the “C” in Crosby’s absence, suffered another devastating defeat on the cusp of a title. He and the Edmonton Oilers have lost to Matthew Tkachuk and the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup finals each of the last two years.

AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics