The United States won the gold medal by defeating Canada 2-1 after extra time, ending a long and symbolic wait and securing their third Olympic title, their first since that night that became legendary. All this, with the return of NHL players after a 12-year absence.
The final in Italy was decided in extra time, where teams play with only three players (besides the goalkeeper), unlike the usual five, in a moment when time seemed to stand still. Jack Hughes received a pass from Zach Werenski and fired the ball into the back of the net at 1 minute and 41 seconds of extra time. Golden goal, gold medal. It was a simple gesture from Hughes, who had broken several teeth in a collision with a Canadian during regulation time. Before that, Matt Boldy had opened the scoring in the sixth minute with the first American shot. Canada responded through Cale Makar and maintained the balance, often thwarted by goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck, who made 40 saves, some of them bordering on the impossible.
The victory also confirmed an unprecedented feat: for the first time, the United States won both the men’s and women’s tournaments in the same edition, after the women’s team also overcame Canada in overtime.