Team USA Closes Winter Olympics With Hockey Gold as Games Come to an End

The 2026 Winter Olympics have officially come to a close, and Team USA saved one of its most memorable performances for the final week.

The United States men’s hockey team captured Olympic gold in dramatic fashion, defeating Canada in a high-intensity final that that finished in overtime.

In front of a packed arena and a global television audience, Team USA delivered a performance that included physical defense, opportunistic scoring, and stellar goaltending from Winnipeg Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck, who stopped 41 shots.

The victory marked the program’s first Olympic gold in men’s hockey since the “Miracle on Ice” of 1980. The Americans struck first about six minutes into the game when Minnesota Wild forward Matt Boldy split two Canadian defenseman scored after flipping the puck over both of their sticks.

The Canadians put on plenty of pressure in the second period, but the Americans weathered the storm, even killing off a 5-on-3 power play. But Canada responded when Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar blistered a wrist shot in the net off of a faceoff.

The Americans pushed back a bit more in the third, but neither team could grab a goal, sending the game to 3-on-3 overtime.

About 1:40 into ot, Columbus Blue Jackets center Zach Werenski delivered a nice pass to New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes who launched the puck past Canadian goaltender Jordan Bennington.

“This is all about our country right now,” Hughes said after the victory. “I love the USA. I love my teammates. It’s unbelievable. The USA hockey brotherhood is so strong. I’m so proud to be American today.”

The win comes just days after the U.S. women’s hockey team also delivered a dramatic gold medal victory over Canada. The hockey action provided some opportunities for fans and that will continue when the National Hockey League season gets back in action on Wednesday, including NHL betting.

Team USA also scored big in other sports over the Games’ final week and here’s a look at some of that.

Speed Skating Success & Record Performances

Beyond hockey, American athletes continued to shine on the ice in the final stretch of competition. Speed skater Jordan Stolz emerged as one of the breakout stars of the Games, capturing two gold medals and setting an Olympic record in the men’s 500 meters. His explosive starts and controlled finishes made him nearly untouchable in short-distance races.

In the longer distances, U.S. skaters added to the medal count with podium finishes in the 1,500 meters and team pursuit events. The speed skating team’s performance signaled a resurgence in a sport where American athletes historically excelled.

Figure Skating & Freestyle Highlights

Team USA also delivered key medal performances in figure skating during the final week. That included podium finishes in both individual and team events, which included strong free skate routines that earned high technical and component scores.

Alysa Liu highlighted the U.S. figure skating performances, becoming the first American to win gold in 24 years.

Freestyle skiing and snowboarding added further success. American athletes claimed medals in slopestyle and halfpipe events. The U.S. presence on the podium in extreme sports categories reinforced its reputation for innovation and depth in these competitions.

Cross-Country & Alpine Contributions

In cross-country skiing, Team USA recorded one of its strongest Olympic showings in decades. A silver medal performance in the men’s sprint marked a historic achievement and highlighted the steady growth of the program.

Ben Ogden grabbed a silver in the men’s sprint classic, the first time in 50 years a U.S. man has won a cross-country skiing medal. Ogden and Gus Schumacher also scored silver in the men’s team sprint free for an even better showing this year.

In the women’s 10km free, Jessie Diggins took bronze after battling injury from a crash in the skiathlon earlier.

Alpine skiing also contributed to the overall medal count. American racers delivered consistent finishes in Super-G and downhill competitions. While not every race resulted in gold, the depth of the U.S. ski team was apparent across multiple disciplines.

Medal Count & Looking Ahead

For Team USA, the close of the Winter Games serves as both celebration and transition. The hockey gold medal provided a dramatic final highlight, but the broader medal haul across speed skating, skiing, and figure skating underscored American winter sport depth.

In total, Team USA collected 33 medals, including 12 golds, 12 silvers, and nine bronzes. Tht was good for second overall behind Norway, which finished with 41 medals including 18 golds.

With the Winter Olympics now officially concluded, attention shifts toward the next chapter on the global sporting calendar: the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The upcoming Summer Games will mark a return to U.S. soil for the first time in more than two decades.

Organizers have already begun infrastructure planning and venue preparation, with expectations of record attendance. American athletes in track and field, swimming, gymnastics, and basketball are already beginning qualifications.

For fans of NFL betting, the inclusion of flag football in 2028 may also be interesting. Viewers can check 5-on-5 games for men and women.