The United States men’s hockey team secured a 2-1 overtime win over Canada at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, marking the nation’s first Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey since the iconic Miracle on Ice team that accomplished the feat at the Lake Placid Winter Olympics in 1980.
American hero Jack Hughes scored a game-winning golden goal just over two minutes into the first overtime period, slotting a shot into the bottom right corner after an assist from Zach Werenski. Veteran goalie Connor Hellebuyck put forth an unreal performance, saving 41 shots against the tournament-favorite Canadians.
Like Hughes, it was national team captain Mike Eruzione who famously scored the game-winning goal against the heavily-favored Soviet Union in 1980.
Eruzione took to social media to react to Team USA‘s 2026 gold medal victory, congratulating both the men’s and women’s national teams on their Olympic titles.
“What a great Olympic games are men’s and women’s hockey teams congratulations to the men and our women on achieving the ultimate dream and winning a gold medal. How sweet and how nice it was to be here and to watch both your teams accomplished that,” Eruzione wrote on X.
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“Miracle on ice indeed! If the Captain says it’s time, then it’s time! 1980 [handshake emoji] 2026. Gold is sweet,” one fan replied.
“If the captain signs off you already know it’s legit,” another added.
“You guys paved the way,” another said.
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The 2026 men’s national team acknowledged similarities to the 1980 team following their victory over the Canadians. American defenseman Charlie McAvoy likened Hellebuyck to Jimmy Craig, the goalie who recorded 36 saves in the United States’ improbable 4-3 win over the Soviet Union.
“He channeled his Jimmy Craig tonight,” McAvoy said of Hellebuyck. “He was unbelievable. He had so many saves, time and time again.”