Team USA returned home to celebrate with gold around their necks and pride in their voices.
The Americans earned that celebration with a dramatic 2-1 overtime win against Canada in the gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Matt Boldy opened the scoring in the first period. Cale Makar tied it late in the second to set up a tense finish.
However, at 1:41 of overtime, Jack Hughes delivered the winner. Zach Werenski forced a turnover and fed Hughes in the right circle. Hughes beat Jordan Binnington with a quick wrist shot to seal gold. He finished the tournament with four goals and three assists for seven points.
After landing back in the United States, forward Dylan Larkin summed up the feeling of the moment.
“It’s such a great feeling to come home,” Larkin said. “Being back in the United States of America, you want to kiss the ground. We love our country.”
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck anchored the run with 41 saves in the final. He denied Connor McDavid on a breakaway and made a key stick stop on Devon Toews in the third period.
Jack Hughes’ ‘I love the USA’ Message After Olympics Win.
The United States dominated group play with wins over Latvia, Denmark, and Germany. It edged Sweden in overtime in the quarterfinals and handled Slovakia in the semifinals. The gold marked the program’s first in men’s hockey since 1980, and it helped put a stop to the USA’s 46-year drought.
After the final horn, Hughes spoke about unity and pride.
“It’s all about our country right now, I love the USA,” Hughes said after the USA’s win. “I love my teammates. It’s unbelievable. The USA Hockey Brotherhood is so strong. We have so much support from our players. I’m so proud of the Americans today.”
For Larkin and his teammates, the journey ended with history made and a homecoming they will never forget.