February 22, 1980, was the day of the famed Olympic “Miracle on Ice” game in Lake Placid, NY. The United States men’s hockey team defeated the heavily favored, four-time defending champion USSR men’s team by a score of 4-3 in an upset, and went on to beat Finland two days later, 4-2, for the gold medal.
Fast forward to February 22, 2026. The U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team won in spectacular fashion against the Canadian men’s team in Milan – bringing home the gold for the first time since 1980, with an overtime goal from Jack Hughes (NJ Devils) sealing the deal along with some beast-mode goaltending from Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets):
MILAN — Jack Hughes may have lost some teeth along the way, but his hockey smile is even bigger with a gold medal around his neck.For the first time since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice,” the United States won an Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey as Hughes scored the golden goal in 3-on-3 overtime for a 2-1 win against rival Canada on Sunday.U.S. goalie Connor Hellebuyck was sensational, stopping 41 shots.Hughes’ goal, less than two minutes into overtime, was assisted by Zach Werenski, who wrestled the puck away from Canada’s Nathan MacKinnon and sent a cross-ice feed to an open Hughes.
Words really don’t do it justice.
In a post-game interview, Hughes went full ‘Merica:
“Interview with Jack Hughes, Team USA gold medal-winning hero: 1. Missing teeth 2. Gives all credit to the goalie 3. Unapologetically proud to be American – Hell yeah,” one X user observed of the Hughes’ patriotic comments.
The medals ceremony was special:
And what happened after that was even more special:
The Trump White House even made sure to get a ding in on disgraced former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (relatedly, per Legal Insurrection hockey expert Mary Chastain, not only does a U.S. NHL hockey team still possess Lord Stanley’s Cup, but a Canadian team hasn’t won it since 1993):
The men’s and the ladies’ team did us proud this year, y’all:
Gotta love it!!
– Stacey Matthews has also written under the pseudonym “Sister Toldjah” and can be reached via X. –
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