US Defeats Canada 2-1 in Overtime to Claim Olympic Hockey Gold

Team USA captured Olympic hockey gold with a dramatic 2-1 overtime victory over Canada in Milan. The loss marks a crushing blow for Canada, a hockey powerhouse with nine Olympic titles compared to America's three. The defeat was especially painful as injured captain Sidney Crosby watched from the sidelines.

MILAN – In a stunning upset that shook the hockey world, Team USA claimed Olympic gold Sunday with a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory against heavily favored Canada in Milan.

The defeat delivered a crushing blow to Canada, a nation where hockey excellence defines national pride. With nine Olympic men’s hockey championships compared to just three for the United States, Canada entered the final as the expected victor in this storied rivalry.

“Losing hurts, doesn’t matter who it’s to,” Canadian head coach Jon Cooper stated following the match. “I look at this game, I’m so proud of what went on. I’m proud of our country. I’m proud of our players and proud of our team.”

Cooper added: “At the end, you’re going to read in a book that in 2026 USA won the gold in Olympic hockey and Canada won the silver. I think in the grand scheme, the big winner of this tournament was ice hockey.”

Across Canada, devoted fans had risen before dawn to watch their team, with establishments opening their doors at 5 a.m. on the Pacific coast. Instead of celebration, they witnessed American players rejoicing while their own squad absorbed a devastating loss on hockey’s most prestigious platform.

The absence of team captain Sidney Crosby loomed large over the championship game. The Pittsburgh Penguins star, who scored the game-winning goal when Canada defeated the US for Olympic gold in 2010, suffered an injury during the quarterfinal match against the Czech Republic.

“You want to be out here and you want to find any way possible, but not at the expense of what needs to be done,” Crosby explained regarding his decision to sit out. “And watching the way we played today, guys played incredible.”

When questioned about potentially missing his final opportunity for a third Olympic gold medal, the 38-year-old hockey legend, nicknamed “Sid the Kid,” acknowledged: “It might have crossed my mind a little bit. But ultimately it was about what’s best for our group.”

Canadian players expressed their disappointment at being unable to secure victory for their injured captain.

“He’s been everything for this country,” said 19-year-old San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini. “We wanted to get that for him and make him proud.”

Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand shared similar feelings of regret.

“You feel bad letting a guy like that down,” Marchand commented. “One of the best ever to play. Wish we could have got it done for him.”

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid stepped into the leadership role, wearing the captain’s armband in Crosby’s absence – a moment many observers interpreted as a generational transition. However, Crosby downplayed such symbolism.

“I was just so grateful to be part of this group, the way we played, the way we got better with every game, that was so important. You could feel it,” Crosby reflected.

“I was thinking more about that, and just being grateful and thankful to be part of this group more than I was thinking about passing the torch or anything like that. (McDavid) was incredible. And as his teammate, it was fun to watch.”

The championship loss served as a stark reminder that past success provides no guarantee of future victories. Canada had previously triumphed in their last three decisive matchups against the Americans – in 2002, 2010, and during last year’s 4 Nations tournament.

The team had also demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout the Milan tournament, mounting comeback victories in both the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds.

However, despite controlling significant portions of Sunday’s final, Canada’s tournament magic finally expired when they needed it most.