Jack Hughes made history on Sunday. The franchise face of the New Jersey Devils scored the golden goal in overtime for Team USA to down Canada 2-1 in the championship game in the 2026 Men’s ice hockey Winter Olympic Games.
“This is all about our country right now. I love the USA, I love my teammates. The USA hockey brotherhood is so strong,” Hughes said to NBC after the United States claimed goal.
The United States scored first to break open the scoring, a goal by Matt Boldy to give the red, white, and blue a 1-0 lead in the first period.
Canada responded in the second period, when Cale Makar wired a shot past Connor Hellebuyck to even the score.
In the third, Hughes drew a four-minute power play after Sam Bennett hit him in the face with a high-stick which drew blood—and chipped a few teeth.
However, he then gave Canada an opportunity when he negated the second half of the man advantage with a high stick of his own on Bo Horvat. Fortunately, the United States’ penalty kill went a perfect 18/18 in the tournament, and the gold medal game between the United States and Canada went to overtime.
During 3-on-3 play in the extra frame, Zach Werenski collected a loose puck below the goal line, fed the streaking Devils forward at the left circle, and Hughes snapped a wrist shot between the legs of Canada goaltender Jordan Binnington, scoring the golden goal and winning the championship game for the United States.
Hughes finished the tournament with a team-leading four goals in the tournament. He registered seven points (4g,3a) in six games, including a goal where he channeled his inner Patrick Kane in the semifinal against Slovakia.
Hellebuyck recorded an astounding 41 saves on 42 shots in the victory.
After taking some criticism due to the optics with the Devils before the Olympics started, Jack Hughes is the American Hero as the United States take home the gold. It’s the United States’ first gold medal win at the Olympics since 1980.
