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Jack Hughes was overwhelmed with American pride as his goal gave Team USA the men’s ice hockey gold medal in overtime against Canada on Sunday.
Hughes buried one behind Canadian goalie Jordan Binnington, giving the Americans their first gold medal in the sport since 1980 — won by the “Miracle on Ice” team that upset the Soviet Union 46 years after Team USA defeated Canada.
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Jack Hughes (86) of the United States celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal to defeat Canada in the men’s ice hockey gold medal during the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Milan Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026. (Amber Searls/Imagn Images)
“This is about our country right now. I love the United States. I love my teammates. It’s unbelievable. The United States is a hockey brotherhood. It’s so strong and we had so much support from former players. I’m so proud to be an American today,” Hughes told NBC while missing a few teeth.
The New Jersey Devils star lost a pair of teeth and was bloodied when he was hit with a stick and drew a Canadian penalty in the third period.
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Jack Hughes of the United States celebrates with his national flag after scoring their second goal in overtime to win gold on February 22, 2026. (REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo)
He also gave Team USA goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck his flowers. Hellebuyck had 40 saves.
“Amazing game by Hellebuyck,” Hughes said. “He was our best player tonight by a mile. Unbelievable game. Unreal game by our team. It’s just a ballsy, gutsy win. That’s American hockey right there. That’s a great Canadian team, but we’re the United States. We’re so proud to be Americans. Tonight was all about the country.”
Hughes told Pakinomist Digital last month he was “fired up” to represent the Stars and Stripes at the Olympics.
Now he can call himself a gold medalist.
USA’s Jack Hughes (86), right, celebrates with teammates after scoring the game-winning goal against Canada in sudden death overtime during the men’s ice hockey gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
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The revenge win comes more than a year after Canada defeated the USA in overtime in the 4 Nations Face-Off. The intensity of that tournament set the stage for Sunday’s game between the two teams.
