{"id":11678139,"date":"2026-02-22T08:18:41","date_gmt":"2026-02-22T13:18:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/globalnews.ca\/?p=11678139&preview=true&preview_id=11678139"},"modified":"2026-02-22T11:44:57","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T16:44:57","slug":"canada-goes-for-hockey-gold-without-captain-sidney-crosby","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/globalnews.ca\/news\/11678139\/canada-goes-for-hockey-gold-without-captain-sidney-crosby\/","title":{"rendered":"U.S. defeats Canada’s men’s team for 1st gold medal since 1980"},"content":{"rendered":"

After a hard-fought battle, an overtime game-winning goal has given the U.S. their first men’s hockey Olympic gold medal since the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, NY.<\/p>\n

Jack Hughes made the goal within two minutes after overtime began with an assist from Zach Werenski and on the anniversary of the fabled Miracle on Ice.<\/p>\n

It was a physical men’s hockey Olympic final started Sunday morning against the United States without Sidney Crosby, who is out with a lower-body injury.<\/p>\n

Six minutes into the first period, Matthew Boldy scored the U.S.’ first goal of the game on his team’s first shot.<\/p>\n

After trailing for the first half, Canada’s Cale Makar tied it up with the second period ending one point a piece.<\/p>\n

Each team drove for the net in power plays in the final minutes of the third period, but the game was sent to overtime with Canada and the U.S. tied at one goal apiece.<\/p>\n

Crosby sat out Canada’s 3-2 comeback win over Finland in Friday’s semifinal after his right leg bent awkwardly on a hit in the quarterfinals against Czechia at the Milan Cortina Games.<\/p>\n

Connor McDavid served as captain in Crosby’s absence for the second consecutive game. McDavid had several chances during overtime, but U.S. goaltender Connor Hellebuyck stopped each one.<\/p>\n

Hellebuyck made 41 saves during the gold medal game.<\/p>\n

The gold medal is the United States’ third ever, with the team not having won since 1980.<\/p>\n

It was also a reversal for the men’s American team after losing the gold to Canada in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.<\/p>\n\t\t\t

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