NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Olympic Hockey Recap
Team USA espn.com captured gold in men's hockey with Jack Hughes' overtime goal, ending a 46-year drought since the Miracle on Ice. The victory over Canada came after Brady Tkachuk espn.com acknowledged the deep rivalry, saying there's "hatred there" between the teams.
Canada's espn.com hopes ended without Sidney Crosby in the lineup after he missed the gold medal game with an undisclosed injury. The Canadians had survived another one-goal thriller in the semifinals, scoring with 35.2 seconds left to advance.
Finland espn.com secured bronze with a 6-1 win over Slovakia, marking their third consecutive Olympic medal with NHL players participating. The U.S. team paid tribute to Johnny Gaudreau throughout the tournament, bringing his children onto the ice after their gold medal victory.
Tournament Highlights
Team USA's espn.com dominant 6-2 semifinal win over Slovakia set up the championship matchup against Canada. The Americans controlled the game from start to finish, with Hughes scoring twice in the victory.
Canada espn.com survived another cardiac finish in the semifinals, overcoming a 2-0 deficit to tie the game before scoring the winner late. Coach Jon Cooper had said captain Sidney Crosby had a "better chance" of playing in the gold medal game after missing the semifinal.
Finland cruised to bronze with a 6-1 rout of Slovakia, scoring four times in the second period to seal the victory. The Finns have now medaled in three straight Olympics with NHL participation.
Olympic Standouts
Team USA's espn.com gold medal sparked reactions from sports icons including Tom Brady and Devin Booker. The victory marked the program's first Olympic title since 1980.
Johnny Gaudreau's espn.com memory was honored throughout the tournament, with his children joining the celebration on the ice after the gold medal game. The U.S. team wore his No. 13 jersey during their victory lap.
Jack Hughes delivered the championship-winning goal in overtime, capping a tournament where he emerged as one of the top American players. His performance helped secure the first U.S. gold in 44 years.
Jaromir Jagr espn.com suggested his storied 38-year career might be coming to an end as he plays for his hometown Kladno Knights in the Czech league. The former NHL great has competed professionally since 1990.
Olympic standouts espn.com emerged from all 32 NHL teams, with some players returning home triumphant while others faced disappointment. The tournament showcased hockey's global appeal and competitive balance.