MILAN (AP) — Jack Hughes' overtime goal against Canada gave the United States its firstOlympic gold medal in men's hockeysince 1980 — and on the 46th anniversary of the "Miracle on Ice" no less.
APTOPIX Milan Cortina Olympics Ice Hockey
Hughes, who hadlost a tooth or twofrom a high stick during the game, scored off a pass from Zach Werenski early into 3-on-3 overtime to clinch a 2-1 victory Sunday.
"It doesn't matter about the goal. Just an unbelievable team, unbelievable team win," Hughes said. "We're just so proud to win for our country.
"The best experiences I have are playing for my country, playing to break the golden drought with this group of guys and for us to win gold here at the Olympics, just an unbelievable moment," he added.
There was a hint of sadness amid the joy as Werenski and Matthew Tkachuk carried a Johnny Gaudreau No. 13 jersey around the ice in tribute to the beloved player whodied in August 2024along with his brother when they were struck by an SUV while riding bicycles.
The Americans' victory Sunday was their 12th gold of theMilan Cortina Games. TheUS women's hockey team had also won gold— also in a 2-1 overtime victory over Canada in the final.
Norway topped the final medal countwith 18 golds and 41 medals overall — best in both categories.
Eileen Gu defends Olympic halfpipe title
Eileen Gu is now six-for-six in Olympic medal events afteranother halfpipe victory.
The 22-year-old Gu, American-born but competing for her mother's homeland of China, is already themost decorated freeskierin the short history of the sport at the Olympics. She also captured two silver medals at the Milan Cortina Games, to pair with two golds and a silver from the Beijing Games.
Gu won her last event on the strength of her second run, a clean, technically sound pass. She got even better in her final run — pumping his ski poles after landing the final trick — and finished with a score of 94.75. Her teammate, Li Fanghui, took silver andZoe Atkinof Britain was third.
The event was rescheduled to Sunday following a big snowstormthe night before.
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Sweden's big day
First, Ebba Andersson pulled away from the pack towin the 50-kilometer mass startcross-country ski race and earn redemptionfor her crashthat cost Sweden a gold medal in the team relay.
"I've dreamed about this day for a long time now and it's almost unbelievable that everything went as planned," she said.
And thenSweden's curling moms beat Switzerlandto give the Scandinavian nation another gold.
Diggins concludes glittering Olympic career
Jessie Digginsfinished fifth in the 50-kilometer mass start cross-country ski race. Just a few seconds shy of one more medal.
She's OK with that.
"I can confidently say I could not possibly have tried harder or gotten more out of my body," the 34-year-old Diggins said.
It marked the final Olympic event for an athlete who transformed American cross‑country skiing and became a symbol of endurance.
Lochner's bobsled sweep
In bobsled, Germany's Johannes Lochner addedthe four-man goldto his two-man title.
Lochner — who announced his retirement months ago — capped his career with his second gold medal of these Olympics, winning the four-man event over two-time defending Olympic champion Francesco Friedrich by 0.57 seconds.
"It's just such a dream. … It's indescribable," Lochner said. "A moment for eternity. A perfect finish, the most perfect finish ever."
AP Olympics:https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics
