Team USA are Olympic champions, after an overtime win.
It was a hard fought game, that had everything an Olympic final should have.
As anticipated, the Olympic gold medal game was played between the two rivals, Canada and the USA. Leading up to the final, both teams had impressed throughout the tournament.
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Dominated the tournament
Team Canada dominated their preliminary round by defeating Czechia 5–0, Switzerland 5–1, and France 10–2. In the elimination stages, Canada knocked out Czechia and Finland in the quarterfinal and semifinal.
Team USA also won their preliminary round, beating Latvia, Denmark, and Germany 5–1, 6–3, and 5–1. In the quarterfinal they eliminated Sweden, and in the semifinal they defeated Slovakia 6–2.
Sidney Crosby out of the lineup
Sunday’s Olympic final was a rematch of the Four Nations Face-Off tournament held in February 2025, where Canada struck gold after a Connor McDavid overtime winner. Sidney Crosby suffered an injury in the semifinal after a hit from Radko Gudas and was unable to play on Sunday. As a result, Connor McDavid captained Team Canada.
Tied after regulation
Team USA came out the strongest and generated several great scoring chances early on. Matt Boldy opened the scoring for the Americans with a beautiful goal six minutes into the game. Both teams played extremely physically, and Tom Wilson leveled Dylan Larkin with a heavy hit. Connor McDavid had a breakaway in the second period but was outsmarted by the outstanding Connor Hellebuyck.
Canada played 5-on-3 for 1.33 in the middle of the second period but didn’t manage to equalize.
Team USA Olympic champions
But with 1.44 left of the second period, Cale Makar tied the game, assisted by Devon Toews.
Sam Bennett was given a four-minute penalty with 6.34 left of the third period, but Team USA was not able to capitalize, sending the game into overtime.
Two minutes into overtime, Jack Hughes scored the game winning goal for Team USA.
”I’m just proud. He’s gone through a lot, all he wants to do is to be healthy and play,” brother Quinn Hughes told reporters after the game.
READ MORE: Team Canada mocked after the Olympic final loss
