USA hockey teams win gold at the Olympics!

The U.S. Men's Hockey Team with their gold medals Image Credit: Associated Press

On Sunday, the United States Men's Ice Hockey Team defeated the Canada Men's Hockey Team with a 2-1 win in the Winter Olympics in Milan. This comes following the victory of the USA Women's Hockey Team just three days prior, also with a 2-1 score.

Hockey is one of the most passionate and exciting winter-season sports, with the National Hockey League consisting of over 32 different franchises in North America and boasting a serious fan-base and more leagues across 20 other countries. This great level of fan dedication and fascination garnered the sport a seat of honor as closing out the 2026 Winter Olympics, hosted in Milan, Italy.

In an exciting conclusion, the Men's Hockey Teams from the United States of America and Canada squared off for dominance in the sport. It's a joke in North America that Canadians live and breathe hockey. And with over 14 Olympic Gold Medals in Ice Hockey, the most ever in the sport, they have some cause for that statement.

U.S. Women's Hockey Team with their gold medals Image Credit: Hassan Anmar | Associated Press

Both United States teams faced both Canadian teams and brought them into overtime, demonstrating how evenly matched in athleticism the teams were. Both emerged victorious after extended gameplay with a score of 2 to 1.

Jack Hughes, center for the New Jersey Devils, scored the winning shot for the men's team. He expressed his gratitude and adoration for his teammates and his country to NBC:

"This is all about our country … I love the USA, I love my teammates. It’s unbelievable. The USA Hockey brotherhood is so strong." -Jack Hughes, Men's Olympic Forward

Taylor Heise, forward for the Minnesota Frost, spoke about the persistence and resilience that playing ice hockey takes:

“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy … None of us have ever wanted it easy. … So we were prepared for the challenge and we never lost hope.” -Taylor Heise, Women's Olympic Forward

Athletes from around the world spend years practicing and drilling to achieve unparalleled discipline, concentration, and physical perfection. The United States won a total of 33 medals (12 gold, 12 silver, 9 bronze) at the Winter Olympics in Milan. Norway won the most overall for the fourth consecutive Winter Games, with 41 wins (18 gold, 12 silver, 11 bronze). Cross-country skier Johannes Høsflot Klæbo set a record with the most gold medal wins by a winter Olympian, with six total.

The Winter Olympics hosts a plethora of intensive sports throughout the games, including in full:

• Alpine Skiing

• Biathlon

• Bobsledding

• Cross-Country Skiing

• Curling

• Figure Skating

• Freestyle Skiing

• Ice Hockey

• Luge

• Nordic Combined

• Short Track Speed Skating

• Skeleton

• Ski Jumping

• Ski Mountaineering

• Snowboard

• Speed Skating