PITTSBURGH (PTTP)- Team USA defeated Team Canada 2-1 in the Gold Medal game this past Sunday in Milan. USA claimed their first gold medal in the Olympics since defeating the Soviet Union (now Russia), in what is called the Miracle on Ice.
After defeating Slovakia 6-2 in the Semi-Final game, USA took on Team Canada. Team USA would open the game with a goal scored by Matt Boldy, assisted by both Auston Matthews and Quinn Hughes. In the second period, Canada would respond with a goal from Cole Makar. No other goals would be scored forcing overtime. In overtime, in 3-on-3, Team USA, New Jersey Devils Forward, and brother of Quinn Hughes, Jack Hughes would score the deciding goal.
Team USA had not earned a medal in hockey during the Olympics since 2010, where they fell to Team Canada 3-2. 2026 marked the return of NHL players to the Olympics, as they had not participated in both the 2018 and 2022 Olympics.
Team Canada was without Pittsburgh Penguins Legend Sydney Crosby, who missed the game due to a lower body injury. Crosby sustained the injury during Canada’s win in the quarterfinal game over Czechia. Crosby is set to miss the next four weeks for the Penguins once the NHL season returns.