2026 Winter Olympics: USA win men’s ice hockey gold for first time in 46 years

This game had an added edge, thanks in part to the presence of NHL players at the Olympics for the first time since 2014.

There was also the political aspect. When these parties met in February 2025, it happened in the shadow of U.S. President Donald Trump threatening tariffs on Canada and calling its northern neighbors the 51st state.

Trump was not present in Milan, nor was Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, pictured watching the final in Quebec.

After the game, the official White House account on X tweeted, external a photo of a bald eagle – a national animal of the United States – attacking a Canada goose, in response to a message from former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

In last year’s game, there were three fights in the first nine seconds. Even though the players kept their cool here with much more at stake, there was still plenty of heat from the crowd.

Santagiulia fans were biased in favor of the Canadians, with the American team being booed before the faceoff.

However, Canada was dealt a major blow before the match with the absence of talismanic captain Sidney Crosby.

The 38-year-old, a veteran of Olympic triumphs in 2010 and 2014, was forced to withdraw from the round of 16 match against the Czech Republic due to a knee injury. Crosby missed the Finnish semifinal and Canada’s coaches were hoping he would be available today – but he wasn’t on the team.

And his leadership was missed as Canada dominated much of the match, but lacked the composure under pressure to convert its myriad chances.

The United States won their country’s 12th gold medal of these Games, finishing second in the medal table. Canada finished in a disappointing 11th place.

After the match, the American players wore the jersey of their former teammate Johnny Gaudreau, who was killed by a drunk driver in August 2024.