It’s a sweep for USA hockey, and one that conjured up memories of perhaps the greatest American Olympic hockey story.
The United States men’s hockey team scored a thrilling 2-1 overtime win over Canada to win the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, joining their women counterparts as champions at the Milan Cortina Games.
American Zach Werenski took the puck from a Canadian defenseman and quickly found Jack Hughes streaking down the ice. He didn’t waste time putting the puck past Canada goalkeeper Jordan Binnington for the goal that delivered the United States its first gold medal in men’s hockey since the ‘Miracle on Ice’ in 1980. Goalie Connor Hellebuyck stopped 41 of 42 shots on goal to keep Canada at bay until the U.S. pounced less than two minutes into the extra frame.
Given that context, the celebration raged almost immediately ‒ in Milan with players, coaches and fans and around the world as American hockey fans savored a gold medal more than 45 years in the making. Here’s a look at some of the best social media reaction to a moment that will live on in U.S. Olympic history: