Milan, Feb. 22 (LaPresse) – The United States won the gold medal in the men’s ice hockey tournament, the closing event of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. In the final, the Americans defeated Canada 2-1 after overtime. At the sold-out Ice Hockey Arena Milano Santa Giulia, with a majority of Canadian supporters, the United States took the lead after 6 minutes in the first period through Matt Boldy. In the second period, Canada mounted relentless pressure and deservedly equalised 1 minute and 44 seconds from the end through Cale Makar. In the third period, Canadian dominance continued, with several chances to complete the comeback. In the final stages, however, the Americans had the opportunity to win while playing a couple of minutes with a numerical advantage. The score did not change, sending the match into overtime, played with one goalkeeper and three outfield players. It was ultimately Jack Hughes who scored the decisive 2-1 goal that will go down in history. The USA return to the top of the podium after their last victory at Lake Placid in 1980, a triumph remembered as the “Miracle on Ice”. This is the United States’ third Olympic gold in men’s ice hockey, following the one also won in 1960. Canada, instead, failed to return to the top of the podium after its last double victory in the days of Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.
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