The United States men\u2019s hockey team made history during the 2026 Winter Olympics<\/a> when they beat Canada 2-1 sudden-death overtime victory, winning gold for just the second time in the nation\u2019s history.<\/p>\n NHL star Jack Hughes<\/strong> \u2014 who had multiple teeth knocked out during the game \u2014 scored the game-winning goal<\/a> during the February 2026 face-off.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is all about our country right now,\u201d Hughes told NBC Sports\u2019 Kathryn Tappen<\/strong> after the win. \u201cI love the USA. I love my teammates. It\u2019s unbelievable. The USA hockey brotherhood is so strong. We had so much support from ex-players. I\u2019m so proud to be an American today.\u201d<\/p>\n He added, \u201cThat\u2019s a great Canadian team, but we\u2019re USA. We\u2019re so proud to be Americans. Tonight was all for the country.\u201d<\/p>\n The team\u2019s victory marked the second time in U.S. history that Team USA men\u2019s hockey won a gold medal. The first was in 1980, when the United States beat Finland 4-2 in the gold medal round after the iconic \u201cMiracle on Ice.\u201d (The women\u2019s USA hockey team<\/a> has won gold three times, in 1998, 2018 and 2026.)<\/p>\n The \u201cMiracle on Ice\u201d refers to Team USA\u2019s unlikely win over the heavily favored Soviet Union, in which a team of college students defeated a team of professional athletes 4 to 3.<\/p>\n Following Team USA\u2019s Milan Olympics hockey win, several similarities between the February 2026 gold medal game and the \u201cMiracle on Ice\u201d have emerged. Keep scrolling for everything to know:\n<\/p>\n The \u201cMiracle on Ice\u201d win took place on February 22, 1980, while the Team USA men\u2019s hockey gold medal win came exactly 46 years later on February 22, 2026.<\/p>\n While the countries were different \u2014 the \u201cMiracle on Ice\u201d game saw Team USA going up against the Soviet Union and the 2026 game was played against Canada \u2014 the United States was considered the underdog in both.<\/p>\n In 1980, the Soviet Union was the favorite after having won four consecutive gold medals for hockey. In 2026, Canada was also the favorite to take home the gold. (The two teams last competed for a gold medal in the 2020 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada. Team Canada won in overtime, securing the nation\u2019s eighth gold medal in men\u2019s hockey.)<\/p>\n Both wins were pretty dramatic if you ask Us<\/em>.<\/p>\n In 1980, the game-winning goal came when team captain Mike Eruzione<\/strong> scored in the third period, giving the United States a lead over the Soviet Union. For the final 10 minutes, Team USA kept their lead to win. ABC anchor Al Michaels<\/strong> famously yelled, \u201cDo you believe in miracles? Yes!\u201d during the broadcast, giving the iconic sports moment its name before the miracle was completed when Team USA took home the gold.<\/p>\n The 2026 game went into sudden-death overtime with a three-on-three format<\/a>. Hughes scored the final goal after knocking out more than a few teeth, making Team USA gold medalists once more.<\/p>\n You have successfully subscribed.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n The 1980 boys had their celebration after the win against the Soviet Union, but that wasn\u2019t the memorable press conference. After beating Finland for the gold, Team USA chatted with reporters and forward John Harrington<\/strong> had already consumed \u201cthree beers after the game.\u201d<\/p>\n Harrington laughed about the interview during the Netflix documentary Miracle: The Boys of \u201880<\/em> in February 2026. \u201cI was just being my typical bigmouth,\u201d he quipped.<\/p>\n In 2026, Team USA defenseman Quinn Hughes<\/strong> made headlines during an interview with NBC\u2019s Mike Tirico<\/strong> when he had a Michelob Ultra in hand<\/a> and appeared to be inebriated.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nThe Date<\/h2>\n
The Opponents<\/h2>\n
How They Won<\/h2>\n
Thank You!<\/h3>\n
![\"1980's](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/GettyImages-2262479236-Miracle-on-Ice.jpg?w=1000&quality=86&strip=all\")
<\/div>The Post-Game Interviews<\/h2>\n