USA Hockey won the gold medal over Canada in one of the most thrilling games in recent memory. The Americans edged the Canadians, 2-1, in overtime at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. This was the Americans first gold medal in men’s hockey in nearly a half-century. It was a historic victory for the United States, and we break down the numbers behind the win.
USA Hockey: A Gold Medal Win by the Numbers
4
The number of goals New Jersey Devils star and golden goal scorer Jack Hughes that in the Winter Games. The middle Hughes brother was the USA’s leading scorer in a balanced attack.
He saved his best performances for the last two games. Hughes registered a pair of goals against Slovakia and saved his biggest one for the game against rival Canada.
7
The number of assists that Minnesota Wild defenceman Quinn Hughes had. The elder Hughes also had a heck of a tournament, including the overtime winner against Sweden in the quarterfinal round.
Hughes’ seven assists were third behind all skaters, with only Connor McDavid (11) and Lucas Raymond (8) with more helpers. The eight points were also the most among defencemen in the tournament.
18
The number of times the Americans killed off penalties in the tournament. Team USA was a perfect 18-for-18 in the tournament on the PK. The Americans took the second-most penalty minutes in the tournament with 58. Only Slovakia took more penalty minutes with 64.
However, the Americans did not allow a man-down goal the entire tournament. Experts questioned whether or not New York Rangers veterans Vincent Trocheck and J.T. Miller deserved their place on the team. However, both proved their worth on the kill. This included killing off an extended 5-on-3 against Canada in the gold medal game.
41
Saves made by Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck in the final. Sometimes a team runs into a hot goaltender and Canada ran into one in the gold medal game. The Canadians had an expected goals of 5.96, while the Americans had a xG of 1.96. However, expected goals don’t win hockey games.
Hellebuyck kept the United States in the game when Canada could have put up a crooked number on the board. The former UMass-Lowell product is a three-time Vezina Trophy winner and the reigning Hart Trophy winner for the league’s most valuable player. It’s not been pleasant season for the Jets this year, but Hellebuyck cemented his place as one of the best goaltenders in the world.
46
The number of years between gold-medal victories for the United States men’s hockey team. Sunday’s win was the exact anniversary of the “Miracle on Ice” when the USA stunned the Soviet Union. The Americans had still go on to beat Finland to lock up the gold medal. However, the win was one for the ages.
The win over the Canadians on Sunday was no miracle. However, Canada brought one of the most potent rosters in memory to Italy. Team USA had its one strong roster, but many had the Canada winning the showdown of rivals.
69.57
The faceoff winning percentage of Detroit Red Wings centre and team captain Dylan Larkin. Faceoffs are a critical statistic, and Larkin certainly did his share at the dot.
His proficiency in the circle was a key part in the United States being able to start its offence. It also played a hand in how the team was perfect on the penalty kill. Trocheck tied for second with Sweden’s Gabriel Landeskog with a 66.67 success rate.
95.62
Hellebuyck’s save percentage during the Olympic tournament. The Commerce Township, Mich. native carded the best save percentage during the games. He finished ahead of Switzerland’s Leonardo Genoni and Finland’s Juuse Saros.
McDavid may have walked away with the MVP honours. However, Hellebuyck was the American’s most valuable player in the final.
Main photo by: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images