NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Olympic Hockey Highlights
Team USA espn.com claimed its first Olympic men's hockey gold medal since 1980, defeating Canada 3-2 in overtime on Jack Hughes' game-winning goal. The victory sparked celebrations from sports stars including Tom Brady and Devin Booker, who praised the team's achievement on social media. Canada espn.com entered the final without captain Sidney Crosby, who was held out due to an undisclosed injury despite coach Jon Cooper saying he had "a better chance" of playing.
Finland espn.com secured the bronze medal with a 6-1 victory over Slovakia, marking their third consecutive Olympic bronze in men's hockey with NHL players participating. The tournament featured emotional moments, including Team USA honoring late Johnny Gaudreau by skating with his No. 13 jersey and bringing his children onto the ice after their gold medal win.
Tournament Analysis
The Americans' path to gold included a dominant 6-2 semifinal victory over Slovakia, setting up their championship matchup against Canada. Brady Tkachuk espn.com described the rivalry as intense, saying "there's hatred there" ahead of the gold medal game. The tournament showcased several standout performances, with Olympic standouts espn.com emerging from all 32 NHL teams, though some players returned home frustrated despite representing their countries.
The thrilling Team USA victory over Canada has sparked discussions about the rivalry heading into 2030. The game featured dramatic swings, with Canada mounting comebacks in multiple matches throughout the tournament, including a one-goal thriller where they scored the winner with just 35.2 seconds remaining. Meanwhile, hockey legend Jaromir Jagr suggested his storied 38-season career might be coming to an end as he plays for his hometown Kladno Knights in the Czech league.