United States players celebrate their overtime win over Canada in the men's gold medal hockey game at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, on Sunday, February 22, 2026. The Canadian Press
Canada’s Olympic campaign in Milan Cortina Winter Olympics ended in heartbreak as the United States clinched men’s hockey gold with a 2–1 overtime victory. Jack Hughes scored just 1:41 into 3-on-3 extra time, capitalizing on a defensive scramble to deliver the Americans their first Olympic title since 1980.
Crosby injury looms large for Canada
Canada played the final without captain Sidney Crosby, who missed the semifinal and gold-medal game due to a lower-body injury. Cale Makar had tied the contest late in the second period after an earlier U.S. goal by Matthew Boldy, but Canada could not convert multiple chances.
Silver caps a mixed medal campaign
The hockey silver was Canada’s final medal, taking the country to 21 overall and eighth on the table — its lowest Olympic finish since 1994. A late surge produced five golds, yet officials warned stagnant federal funding threatens future competitiveness.
Emotional closing ceremony in Verona
At the closing ceremony in Verona Olympic Arena, flag-bearers Valerie Maltais and Steven Dubois led roughly 90 Canadian athletes. Dubois, a gold medallist in the 500 m, called the honour the highlight of his Games.
Near-misses on final day
Canada narrowly missed another podium as Amy Fraser finished fourth in women’s halfpipe, while other late events saw mid-pack results in bobsleigh and cross-country skiing, bringing the curtain down on a Games filled with both breakthroughs and lingering questions.
