2026 Winter Olympics: USA win men’s ice hockey gold for first time in 46 years

This game had an extra edge, thanks in part to the presence of NHL players at the Olympics for the first time since 2014.

There was also the political angle. When these sides met in February 2025, it came in the shadow of USA president Donald Trump threatening tariffs on Canada and referring to their northern neighbours as the 51st state.

Trump was not present in Milan, and neither was Canadian prime minister Mark Carney who was pictured watching the final in Quebec.

After the game, the official White House account on X tweeted, external a picture of a bald eagle – a national animal of the USA – attacking a Canada goose, responding to a post from former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau.

In last year’s match, there were three fights in the first nine seconds. While the players kept their cool here with much more on the line, there was still plenty of heat from the crowd.

The supporters at Santagiulia were partisan in favour of the Canadians, with the USA team roundly booed before face-off.

However Canada were given a major blow pre-match with the absence of talismanic captain Sidney Crosby.

The 38-year-old, a veteran of the Olympic triumphs in 2010 and 2014, was forced off in their last-eight win over Czech Republic with a knee injury. Crosby missed the Finland semi-final and Canada’s coaches hoped to have him available today – but he was not in the squad.

And his leadership was missed as Canada dominated large parts of the game but lacked coolness under pressure to convert their myriad of chances.

The USA instead claimed their country’s 12th gold of these Games, finishing second in the medal table. Canada end a disappointing 11th.

After the game, USA players carried the jersey of former team mate Johnny Gaudreau who was killed by a drunk driver in August 2024.