Sports News

Jack Hughes scores in overtime as USA beat Canada for first Olympic hockey gold since 1980

The United States beat Canada 2-1 in overtime in the Olympic men's ice hockey final at the Milano Santagiulia arena on Sunday, 22 February. Jack Hughes scored 1:41 into 3-on-3 overtime with a wrist shot past Jordan Binnington. It was the first US men's hockey gold since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice”, and the first since NHL players began to take part.

Matt Boldy put the US ahead six minutes in; Cale Makar equalised with 1:44 left in the second period. Canada outshot the US 42-28, and goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck made the difference, CP24 reported, carrying The Canadian Press.

“I thought that obviously we did everything but score.” — Sidney Crosby, via CP24

CP24 framed it as Olympic heartbreak: Canada's captain Crosby missed the final with a lower-body injury, Connor McDavid was named tournament MVP with a record 13 points, and Prime Minister Mark Carney sent congratulations on a “hard-fought and well-earned silver”. Fox Sports told the American story: the US program's third gold, won on the 46th anniversary of the 1980 upset of the Soviet Union, with players holding up the jersey of the late Johnny Gaudreau.

How each outlet framed it

• CP24 (The Canadian Press) — heartbreak, Crosby's absence and McDavid's record.
• Fox Sports — a 46-year wait ended, and a tribute to Gaudreau.

Where the numbers differ: CP24 said Hellebuyck stopped 41 shots, a tournament high; Fox Sports said 40.