Team USA Takeaways: How United States Earned First Gold Medal Since 1980

Jack Hughes netted the game-winning goal for the U.S. versus Canada.

The U.S. men won Olympic hockey gold for the first time since 1980. | Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated

The United States has done it. For the first time since 1980, they’ve captured the gold medal at the Winter Olympics.

Fueled by a spectacular performance from goalie Connor Hellebuyck—who turned away 41 of 42 Canadian shot attempts—and capped by a golden goal from forward Jack Hughes in overtime, Team USA defeated Canada, 2–1. After two weeks of high-stakes hockey in Milan, they leave the Milano Santagiulia Arena at the very top of the sport.

MORE: How United States Set Itself Up For Gold Medal Bout vs. Canada

Here are our takeaways from Sunday morning’s gold medal showdown:

Connor Hellebuyck put the USA on his back

Connor Hellebuyck was a brick wall between the pipes for Team USA. | Erick W. Rasco / Sports Illustrate

Connor Hellebuyck deserves all of the praise. What a sensational performance from Team USA’s No. 1 goalie on the biggest stage in sports.

Hellebuyck has been plagued by postseason woes in his career in the NHL, but he put all of that behind him and kept the U.S. in the gold medal game against Canada by making save after save after save.

Hellebuyck saved 41 of the 42 shots he faced against Canada, doing everything in his power to protect his net. Without his contributions, the U.S. likely wouldn’t have made it to overtime, and they certainly wouldn't be gold medal winners.

It'll go down as one of the all-time great Olympic goaltending displays, and rightfully so.

Team USA is a literal band of brothers

The Tkachuks and Hughes’ powered Team USA through this one. | NBC

While Jack Hughes’s golden goal on Sunday ultimately trumps all, his brother Quinn—along with the Tkachuk crew, Matthew and Brady—led Team USA to what was ultimately a gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Here’s a look at their final statistics:

• F Jack Hughes: 4 goals, 3 assists, game-winning goal vs. Team Canada
• D Quinn Hughes: 1 goal, 7 assists, game-winning goal vs. Sweden in quarterfinal
• F Brady Tkachuk: 3 goals, 2 assists
• F Matthew Tkachuk: 6 assists, +6 plus/minus

A dominant showing from a true band of brothers.

The United States has officially arrived atop hockey’s global stage

The United States has won gold at the Winter Olympics for the first time since 1980. | Eric W. Rasco / Sports Illustrated

While the United States has steadily turned itself into a hockey powerhouse over the past quarter-century, this week in Milan cemented its status, placing Team USA firmly atop the hockey world.

For the first time ever, both the men’s and women’s hockey teams have won Olympic gold—and both did so in overtime against their bitter rivals in Team Canada, with Jack Hughes and Megan Keller delivering the game-winning goals respectively.

What a moment for the United States, who now stands alone at the summit of global hockey.

Check out Sports Illustrated's continued, up-to-date coverage from Sunday's gold medal game in Milan:

Team USA vs. Canada: Gold Medal Game Updates, Analysis and More

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