Slinging Biscuits, Chirping Canada, Winning Gold: USA Hockey Takes Home Olympic Wins
Image Courtesy of Daily Faceoff
By Jules DeJak
Ope – sorry, Canada. USA hockey is on top.
Watching this year’s Olympic hockey reminded me a lot of one of the greatest movies of all time: Miracle. Every time I watched the red, white, and blue, I could hear Mike Eruzione’s voice proudly echo, “I PLAY FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” This goes for both men’s and women’s hockey. Two gold medals secured in two intense overtime sequences, just 3 days apart, were truly monumental.
The United States Women’s hockey team dominated in the preliminary rounds, defeating Czechia, Finland, Switzerland, and Canada with 5 goals on the board in every game. Advancing to the playoff quarterfinals, the women secured another huge win, beating Italy 6-0. Highlights from that game included some good ole hockey chirping and heated moments, as punches were thrown after Hannah Bilka’s goal set the game 6-0. With yet another win against Sweden (USA 5, Sweden 0), the United States women’s team advanced to the gold medal game vs. Canada.
On February 19, Team USA played for gold. After an uneventful first period, Canada’s Laura Stacey set up Kristin O’Neill for a strategic goal to put Canada on the board 1-0 in the second period. Aerin Frankel’s goaltending throughout the game was unbelievably vital, keeping Team USA on their feet, especially with the competing shots on goal ushered in by the Canadians. Regaining momentum and maintaining significant possession, the United States began to dominate offensively in the 3rd period. With 2:04 on the clock, Team USA’s Captain Hilary Knight tied the game with an impressive tip from Laila Edward’s shot from the outside. Not only did this send the game into overtime, but it secured a major accomplishment for Knight: the most goals and points scored in U.S. Olympic men’s and women’s hockey history. In 8 minutes of heated overtime play, defenseman Megan Keller scored an insane backhand goal to claim the gold medal for the United States, ensuring the 3rd Olympic gold medal win for Team USA’s women’s hockey program.
The American spirit enveloped Milano Santagiulia Arena, as “Free Bird” blasted out the speakers, and Team USA was decked in their freshly acquired gold. Back in the United States, the Empire State Building lit up in Old Glory’s colors of red, white, and blue to commemorate the outstanding win. But the feats for Team USA did not stop there.
On February 22, the USA men’s hockey team sought to reclaim gold. 46 years prior, they had battled a historic game against the Soviet Union, winning 4-3 in what is known as the “miracle on ice”. With a different opponent this time round, the United States would have to take down Canada for gold — a very bitter rivalry given that Canada had previously beaten the U.S. in the Four Nations Faceoff in 2025.
The U.S. men’s team put on a display in Milan during the preliminary rounds. Taking down Latvia, Denmark, and Germany, the U.S. had no problem advancing to the playoff quarterfinals. With a crucial overtime goal by Quinn Hughes against Sweden, Team USA moved on to the semifinals against Slovakia. An early goal by Dylan Larkin set the pace of the semifinal game, and with plenty of chirps from the Tkachuk brothers, as well as goals by Tage Thompson, Jack Hughes, Jack Eichel, and Brady Tkachuk, Team USA completely outplayed Slovakia, winning 6-1.
The gold medal game was on the clock. Team USA’s head coach, Mike Sullivan, encouraged the men to get things done in epic “American swagger” fashion against the Canadians. If the USA won this game, it would be the first gold medal secured in men’s hockey since 1980.
Team USA and Canada kicked things off aggressively – big hits, patriotic fans, and some of the fastest skating in history. Matt Boldy shone through the first period with a difficult breakaway goal across the blue line, lifting the puck into the air and backhanding it into Canadian territory to set the score 1-0, Team USA. The momentum started kicking in for the Canadians, and Cale Makar scored directly off a faceoff into the weak side of Connor Hellebuyck’s net to tie the game. Canada was dominating offensively, but with the sharp and tactful blocks from the USA’s Hellebuyck in goal, the breakaways from the Canadian forwards were prevented. A high-sticking call ensued towards the end of the 3rd period, resulting in a couple of missing teeth for Jack Hughes. A stick to the face was the least of Hughes’ worries. The game led to overtime, and Canada led with the most shots on goal. Receiving the puck from defenseman Zach Werenski, the toothless and bloody Jack Hughes ripped an absolute rocket into the net past Canada’s Jordan Binnington, clinching Olympic gold for the United States.
It was not a miracle that won this Olympic gold this time around. It was the raw talent of the United States men’s hockey team, and the pure grit and determination that put them on top. Team USA’s performance echoes the words of legendary Coach Brooks: “You don’t win on emotion. You win on execution.”
With both the men’s and women’s teams winning Olympic gold in a most unforgettable and American fashion, Team USA hockey stands as a symbol of national pride on the world’s biggest stage.
