There’s something about overtime in a gold-medal hockey game that turns a great rivalry into instant history. Over a single week in February 2026, the United States men’s and women’s teams each beat Canada in sudden death to claim Olympic ice hockey gold – the men for the first time since the Miracle on Ice in 1980, the women adding to their 2018 title.

4 related posts

Gold medal wins for USA men’s hockey (pre-2026): 2 (1960, 1980) ·
Gold medal wins for Canada men’s hockey (pre-2026): 9 (most recent 2014) ·
Final score USA vs Canada men’s gold: USA 3–2 (OT) ·
Women’s gold medal final score (USA vs Canada): USA 2–1 (OT) ·
Year of 2026 Men’s Gold Medal Game: 2026

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact broadcast details for sled hockey gold medal game (Paralympics schedule not yet finalized)
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • USA becomes first nation to sweep all three Olympic and Paralympic hockey golds at a single Games (IPC)

Six facts capture the scope of USA’s hockey golden week:

Category Detail
Event 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic ice hockey gold medal games
Men’s final score USA 3–2 Canada (OT)
Women’s final score USA 2–1 Canada (OT)
Sled hockey gold game date March 15, 2026 (IPC)
USA men’s previous gold 1980 (Miracle on Ice) (NBC Olympics)
USA women’s previous gold 2018

Who won the gold medal hockey game today?

USA men’s 3–2 OT victory over Canada (Feb 22, 2026)

  • Jack Hughes scored the golden goal in 3-on-3 overtime (ESPN)
  • Connor Hellebuyck made 41 saves (NBC Olympics)
  • Game played at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena (ESPN)

USA women’s 2–1 OT victory over Canada (Feb 19, 2026)

  • Megan Keller scored the OT winner (NBC Olympics)
  • First USA women’s gold since 2018

Sled hockey gold medal result

  • USA defeated Canada 6–2 on March 15, 2026 (IPC)
  • Jack Wallace scored a hat-trick (IPC)
The upshot

USA’s three golds in one fortnight – men’s, women’s, and sled hockey – mark a level of dominance no country has achieved before. For Canadian fans, the sweep stings, but it also raises the stakes for the next Winter Games.

What time is the gold medal sled hockey game?

Sled hockey gold medal game time and date

  • March 15, 2026 at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena (IPC)
  • Exact start time TBD (Paralympic broadcast schedule not finalized)

Where to watch sled hockey live

  • NBC and Peacock (USA broadcasters) (ESPN)
  • International broadcasters vary by region

The implication: Fans planning to watch sled hockey gold should monitor official Paralympic channels for confirmed start times. The early weekday slot for able-bodied games suggests sled hockey could also air in a morning window.

Why this matters

For the first time, a single nation has dominated all three ice hockey disciplines at one Olympics. The sled hockey victory gave USA its fifth consecutive title in the sport – a dynasty that shows no sign of slowing.

How can I see the gold medal hockey game?

Streaming options for Olympic hockey

  • Peacock streams all games live and on demand (ESPN)
  • NBC Sports app for authenticated subscribers

TV broadcast details in USA

  • Men’s gold game aired on NBC and USA Network (NBC Olympics)
  • Women’s gold game also on NBC

Replays and highlights

  • Full replays available on Peacock and NBCOlympics.com
  • Highlight packages on YouTube (official Olympic channel)

The trade-off: While live viewing required early alarms, replay availability means no fan has to miss the action. The convenience of on-demand streaming offsets the unusual start time.

Why is the gold medal hockey game at 8am?

Why Canada-USA gold medal men’s hockey game starts early at 8 a.m.

  • Official start time: 8:10 AM Eastern on Feb 22, 2026 (ESPN)
  • Prime-time European audience (2 p.m. CET) drove the scheduling

Impact of time zone on European audience

  • 2 p.m. CET is a mainstream afternoon slot across Italy and Europe
  • No live audience impact – arena was full for the 8 a.m. ET start

The pattern: Broadcasters optimized for the largest global TV audience, even if it meant a morning wake-up for North American fans. The Milan location naturally favors European time zones for afternoon finals.

Who is the richest hockey player of all time?

Estimated net worth of Wayne Gretzky

  • Wayne Gretzky’s net worth estimated at $250 million (multiple sources)
  • Earnings from NHL salary, endorsements, and business ventures

Other wealthy hockey players

  • Mario Lemieux (estimated $200 million)
  • Bobby Orr (estimated $80 million)
  • Modern stars like Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin exceed $100 million in career earnings

The catch: Gretzky’s wealth, while unmatched in hockey, still trails top athletes in basketball, soccer, and golf. The sport’s lower global profile limits endorsement scale.

Comparing the three gold medal games

Three games, three USA victories – but each had its own rhythm. This table shows the key differences:

Game Date Score OT Hero Goalie Saves Venue
Men’s Olympic Feb 22, 2026 USA 3–2 Canada Jack Hughes Connor Hellebuyck (41) Milano Santagiulia
Women’s Olympic Feb 19, 2026 USA 2–1 Canada Megan Keller N/A (not reported) Milano Santagiulia
Sled Hockey Paralympic Mar 15, 2026 USA 6–2 Canada Jack Wallace (hat-trick) N/A (not reported) Milano Santagiulia

Timeline of USA-Canada hockey gold history

  • 1920: Ice hockey debuts at Summer Olympics (won by Canada)
  • 1960: USA men win first Olympic hockey gold at Squaw Valley
  • 1980: USA men win gold in Lake Placid (Miracle on Ice)
  • 1998: Women’s ice hockey debuts at Nagano; USA wins first gold
  • 2014: Canada men win most recent gold before 2026
  • February 19, 2026: USA women defeat Canada 2–1 in OT for gold
  • February 22, 2026: USA men defeat Canada 3–2 in OT for gold
  • March 15, 2026: USA sled hockey defeats Canada 6–2 for gold

Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

  • USA men won gold on Feb 22, 2026, beating Canada 3–2 in OT (ESPN)
  • USA women won gold on Feb 19, 2026, beating Canada 2–1 in OT (NBC Olympics)
  • Jack Hughes scored the OT goal for men’s team (ESPN)
  • Megan Keller scored the OT goal for women’s team (NBC Olympics)

What’s unclear

  • Specific start time and TV channel for sled hockey gold medal game (Paralympics schedule not finalized)

Quotes from the ice

“We never doubted ourselves for a second. In overtime, you just know someone’s gonna be the hero.”

– Jack Hughes, USA forward, after scoring the golden goal (ESPN)

“I just tried to give us a chance every period. When you see the puck coming at you 41 times, you just react.”

– Connor Hellebuyck, USA goaltender, on his 41-save performance (NBC Olympics)

The consequence: These two athletes – a 24-year-old forward and a veteran netminder – delivered the moments that will define a generation of American hockey. For Canada, the sting of two overtime losses in one week will fuel a fierce response in 2030.

Related reading: India vs New Zealand Final 2026

Additional sources

youtube.com, youtube.com, youtube.com, ncaa.org

För en utförligare analys av avgörandet, se Mer om guldmatchen.

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Frequently asked questions

Who scored the winning goal in the men’s hockey gold medal game?

Jack Hughes scored the overtime goal to give the USA a 3–2 victory over Canada on February 22, 2026 (ESPN).

Where was the 2026 Olympic hockey gold medal game played?

Both the men’s and women’s gold medal games were held at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy (ESPN).

What time did the men’s gold medal hockey game start?

The puck dropped at 8:10 AM Eastern Time on February 22, 2026 (ESPN).

How can I watch a replay of the gold medal hockey game?

Full replays are available on Peacock and NBCOlympics.com (NBC Olympics).

Why did the hockey gold medal game start so early in the morning?

The 8:10 AM ET start was chosen to air in prime European afternoon time (2 p.m. CET) for the largest global TV audience (ESPN).

How many gold medals has the US women’s hockey team won?

The 2026 title gave the USA women’s team its second Olympic gold, adding to its 2018 victory.

What is the sled hockey gold medal game schedule?

The sled hockey gold medal game was played on March 15, 2026, with the USA defeating Canada 6–2 (IPC).

Bottom line: The 2026 hockey gold medal game was not just a victory – it was a statement. USA hockey swept all three golds (men’s, women’s, sled hockey) for the first time in history, each win coming against Canada. For North American fans, the early start times were a necessary trade-off for a global audience, but the results made the alarm clocks worth it. For Canada, the rivalry has a new chapter – and a score to settle.

For fans of Olympic hockey, the 2026 Milano Cortina Games delivered a once-in-a-lifetime clean sweep. USA hockey now holds every gold medal in the sport – but the margin of victory in both overtime thrillers was razor-thin. The next battle on the ice is already looming.