Do you believe in miracles? Following the American victory against the five-time champion Soviet Union team in the 1980 Winter Olympics, this was the phrase on the tip of everyone’s tongues. But in 2026, the Men’s USA Hockey team winning its sixth gold medal was in no way a miracle — it was merely the second chapter in a comeback story that had been brewing for 46 years.
In the 1980s at Lake Placid, the United States men’s team faced a matchup with all the odds stacked against them, yet in what is widely known as the “Miracle on Ice” they managed to slay the beast that was the Soviet Union and show that America is a real contender when it comes to hockey. Over four decades later, and despite going 12 Olympic Games in a gold medal drought, the miracle has not been forgotten.
For Team USA, this was a comeback year. For the men’s team, their rivalry is no longer with the Soviet Union but with our friendly neighbors to the north, Canada. After falling short and returning to the states with silver in both the 2002 and 2010 winter games, Team USA has been eager to overtake Canada. This feud extended past the Olympic Games and into the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off where Team Canada ran away with the 3-2 victory in overtime.
Feb. 22, exactly 46 years to the day of the men’s team’s last gold medal, Team USA became revered underdogs once again as they took the 2-1 overtime victory to defeat Canada for the first time in Olympic history.
Though Canada entered the game as the favorite, Team USA quickly took control of the ice as Minnesota Wilds Matt Boldy struck first six minutes into the game. But as Colorado Avalanches Cale Makar tied the score and put Canada on the board with under two minutes remaining in regulation, North American hockey fans were pulled to the edge of their seats.
America’s golden boy and New Jersey Devils Jack Hughes, was first to score in the sudden death overtime, ending the game in a sea of red, white and blue as gloves were thrown in the air and the team swarmed each other in celebration.
In a patriotic scene, Hughes smiled through the bloody teeth he had knocked out in the third period and draped the American flag behind his back. In that moment, not only did America have pride in Hughes, but he had pride in his country.
“This is all about our country right now,” Hughes said to NBC. “I love the USA. I love our teammates. It’s unbelievable. The USA hockey brotherhood is so strong. We had so much support from ex-players, and I’m so proud to be American today.”
Alongside Hughes, Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck was also dubbed an American hero for his efforts between the pipes, stopping 41 out of 42 shots on goal, protecting the crease for his country.
“Unbelievable game by Hellebuyck,” Hughes said to NBC. “He was our best player tonight by a mile. Unbelievable game. Unreal game by our team.”
In similar fashion, the women’s team made headlines earlier this week as they defeated Canada for the gold medal 2-1 in overtime Feb. 19. Boston Fleets Megan Keller knocked one in the net for the golden goal to give the women’s team its third gold medal in Olympic history, all of which came from games facing Canada. This was the first time in history that both the men’s and women’s teams have won the gold for Team USA.
As for the women of Team USA, they intend to continue to chase the gold. For them, it never took a miracle. Instead, they focused on working hard to be the best team they could.
“We’re confident,” Caroline Harvey, tournament MVP, said. “We’re going to go back and tear it up.”
White is the Editor in chief for the Liberty Champion.
Steve White
February 24, 2026
USA, USA!!!