NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Olympic Hockey Results
Team USA espn.com captured its first Olympic men's hockey gold medal since the Miracle on Ice in 1980, defeating Canada 3-2 in overtime on Jack Hughes' game-winning goal. The victory ended a 46-year drought for American hockey. Finland espn.com claimed bronze with a 6-1 rout of Slovakia, marking their third consecutive Olympic medal with NHL players participating.
Team USA's Journey
Team USA espn.com dominated Slovakia 6-2 in the semifinals, setting up their gold medal showdown against Canada. The Americans honored late forward Johnny Gaudreau throughout their Olympic run, bringing his children onto the ice after their championship victory. Gaudreau's brothers, both former NHL players, died in a cycling accident last year.
Canada's Campaign
Canada espn.com survived multiple one-goal thrillers during the tournament, including a dramatic semifinal win over Germany where they tied the game with 35.2 seconds remaining. Star center Sidney Crosby missed the semifinal due to an undisclosed injury but coach Jon Cooper indicated he had "a better chance" of playing in the gold medal game.
Rivalry and Emotions
U.S. forward Brady Tkachuk espn.com described the intense rivalry with Canada as having "hatred there" on the eve of the gold medal game. The emotional stakes were evident throughout the tournament, with players from all 32 NHL teams experiencing both the honor and pressure of representing their countries at the highest level.
Olympic Standouts
The Milan Cortina Games featured standout performances from NHL players across all 32 teams, with some athletes achieving Olympic glory while others faced disappointment. The tournament showcased the global nature of hockey talent and the unique pressure of international competition.