For the first time in Olympic history, both the U.S. women’s and men’s hockey teams won the gold medal in the same Winter Olympic Games; each defeating rival Canada 2-1 in Milan, Italy.
For the men’s team, this is their third gold medal, their first since the 1980s, “Miracle on Ice.” The women’s team secured their third gold medal and first since 2018. Both victories came in overtime.
Megan Keller scored the game-winning goal in overtime for the women’s team on Thursday, Feb. 19, while Jack Hughes scored the game-winning goal for the men’s on Sunday, Feb. 22.
During the men’s gold medal game on Sunday, Feb. 22, the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) stated that it averaged more than 18 million viewers, resulting in the most-watched sporting event in U.S. history that started before 9 a.m. Eastern time.
Keller’s game-winning goal on Thursday, Feb. 19, drew an audience of around 7 million viewers, making it the most-watched women’s Olympic hockey game.
Both teams won with a final score of 2 to 1. This marks the first time ever in Olympic history that the same two nations faced off in a gold medal game with identical scores.
“I am really proud to be an American and to be able to celebrate these athletes’ accomplishments,” said Chris Reed, a history professor at GCSU. “As someone who served in the armed forces, I will always cheer on whoever it may be in whatever way. I was super happy to be able to witness both the men’s and women’s teams bring home the gold.”
The Americans never gave up in the men’s gold medal game. Canada attempted 42 shots compared to the U.S.’s 28. The American goaltender Connor Hellebuyck saved 41 of the 42 shots. The U.S. was an underdog going into the game.
“I feel bad for anyone who didn’t get to watch that game,” said Roscoe Conrad, a freshman business major. “That was a moment that I will remember exactly where I was at a point in time. I’m not a big hockey fan, but watching them beat Canada for a gold medal was something special.”
Jack and his teammate and brother, Quinn, indicated that he wanted to be a difference maker. The night before the gold medal game, Jack told Quinn he was dreaming of scoring a game-winning goal.
Canada and the U.S. have never gotten along on the ice, as the U.S.’s “biggest” rival would be Canada. The U.S. lost to Canada in overtime in the gold medal game in 2010, in Vancouver, Canada. 16 years later, the script flipped.
“It was a really cool moment to watch,” said Katie Long, a junior nursing major. “The women’s and men’s teams deserve so much praise for their accomplishments. I have barely watched the Olympics but I made sure to watch the gold medal hockey games.”
After the men won, they celebrated emotionally on the ice. They celebrated by bringing out a former teammate’s jersey, Johnny Gaudreau. Gaudreau was killed last year after being struck by an alleged drunk driver. The U.S. hockey confederation made sure that Johnny’s family was present in Milan. Johnny wasn’t out there on the ice to celebrate a gold medal, but his jersey and spirit were.
The U.S. finished the 2026 Winter Olympics with a total of 33 medals, second to Norway’s 41. For information regarding the Olympics, visit www.olympics.com.