The U.S. defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime to capture the men’s hockey gold medal, with Michigan athletes playing major roles in the win.
Canton Township’s Jack Hughes, wearing No. 86, scored the game-winning goal in overtime to secure the country’s third Olympic men’s hockey title, and its first since 1980.
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After the goal, Hughes reflected on what the win meant.
“This is all about our country right now,” Hughes said after the game. “I love the U.S.A. I love my teammates. It’s unbelievable. The USA Hockey brotherhood is so strong.”
Hughes ended it just 1:41 into 3-on-3 overtime, finishing a rush off a pass from Zach Werenski. The goal set off a wild on-ice celebration while Canada’s players watched from their bench.
Read more --> Hughes scores in overtime as US beats Canada for first men’s hockey gold at the Olympics since 1980
Hughes also praised goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who is from Commerce Township, for his dominant performance in net
“Unbelievable game by Hellebuyck,” Hughes said. “He was our best player by a mile.”
Hellebuyck stopped 41 of 42 shots as Canada applied relentless pressure. He delivered one of the game’s most remarkable saves in the third period, stopping Devon Toews with a clutch stick save. Shortly after, he denied Macklin Celebrini on a breakaway, a feat he had also accomplished earlier against Connor McDavid.
Adding a personal touch, Hellebuyck’s goalie mask featured an image of Michigan adorned with stars and stripes.
“I can’t even believe this,” Hughes said. “I mean it’s such an unbelievable game, USA-Canada. Such a good game. There’s so many great players. We’re a great team. That’s exactly how we wanted it to go. We’re underdogs to Canada, (but we) beat them. It could have gone either way.”
Other Michigan players on the roster included:
- Dylan Larkin, #21 – Waterford
- Zach Werenski, #8 – Grosse Pointe Woods
- Quinn Hughes, #43 - Canton Township
- Jack Hughes, #86 – Canton Township
- Connor Hellebuyck, #37 – Commerce Township
- Kyle Connor, #81, Shelby Township
For more information about these Michigan players and their roles in the Team USA men’s hockey win, click here.
To read about other Michigan athletes who competed in this year’s Olympics, check out the following article:
--> Meet the Michigan athletes competing at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics