46 Years Later: Werenski Sets Up Jack Hughes’ OT Winner As USA Stuns Canada for Olympic Gold

By Will Chase on February 22, 2026 at 11:34 am
Feb 22, 2026; Milan, Italy; Auston Matthews (34) of the United States, Zach Werenski (8) of the United States and Matthew Tkachuk (19) of the United States hold up the jersey of John Gaudreau after defeating Canada in the men's ice hockey gold medal game during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.
© Amber Searls-Imagn Images
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Once again, Team USA is golden.

46 years to the day the Americans last won gold in men's hockey at the Olympics, Team USA was up against its biggest rival, a team that also wears red as the Soviets did on that day in 1980.

Jack Hughes' overtime goal 1:41 into overtime solidified the 2-1 win as Team USA beat Team Canada 2-1 on Sunday from Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena to win gold for the first time since the 1980 Miracle on Ice. Zach Werenski had the key assist to set Hughes up for the winning goal as he and the rest of the American hockey team etched themselves in history.

Connor Hellebuyck made 41 saves. Jordan Binnington made 26 stops.

Here's how one of the most memorable hockey games went down:

First Period

(6:00 - Team USA Goal) Matt Boldy and the Americans struck first.

Team USA's first shot on goal was the goal that gave the Americans the 1-0 lead at the 6:00 mark. Auston Matthews (4) and Quinn Hughes (7) got the assists. It's Boldy's second goal of the Olympics.

Second Period

(18:16 - Team Canada) A 1-0 lead late into the second period, it felt like a matter of time before Canada responded with the equalizer. Cale Makar's second goal of the Olympics tied the game 1-1, finally beating an outstanding Hellebuyck in net. Colorado Avalanche teammate Devon Toews got his second assist of the tournament.

(1:41 - Team USA) Werenski's fifth assist of the Olympics helped set up the game-winner as Hughes scored his fourth. The golden goal.

Just marveling at Werenski's ability to fight for, and keep the puck against Nathan MacKinnon deep in the Americans' zone, and get the puck to Hughes for the winner. Hellebuyck also got the assist. Werenski played 12:10 for the game.

Finally. Team USA is the best hockey team in the world. The USA finishes with 12 golds, its most ever in an Olympics, surpassing its previous high of 10 at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City.

This one is for Johnny Hockey.

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