US Beats Canada in Overtime to Capture First Olympic Men’s Hockey Gold Since 1980

In a dramatic overtime finish, the United States men’s hockey team captured Olympic gold for the first time since 1980, edging arch-rival Canada on a goal by Hughes. The sudden-death strike ended a tense championship showdown and sparked celebrations across the American delegation as the final buzzer confirmed a landmark 3-2 victory.

The win snaps a 44-year gold-medal drought for the U.S. men, harkening back to the famed Miracle on Ice triumph at the Lake Placid Games. With the teams locked in a stalemate after regulation, Hughes seized the moment late in the extra frame, firing home the decisive tally to etch his name into Olympic lore and deliver a historic championship to the United States.