Team U.S.A. Won More Than Gold in Men's Hockey

"Less than two minutes into overtime of the men's gold-medal hockey game at the Milano Cortina Olympics, between the U.S.A. and Canada, the American Jack Hughes-a fresh gap in his teeth, his mouth still bloody from a high stick in the third period-lunged and poked the puck around a Canadian defender. The ice, which had seemed crowded with players colliding at incredible speeds during regulation, suddenly opened up-Olympic hockey uses a three-on-three format during"

"instead of the ordinary five-on-five. The Canadian Nathan MacKinnon had an angle on the puck, but there was an air of caution about him as he skated toward it. Perhaps fatigue was setting in. MacKinnon had been all over the rink all game, which was as fast, and as physical, and as highly skilled, surely, as any hockey competition in history. He'd had his own chances to score; halfway through the third period, he'd even missed an open net."

"MacKinnon glided toward the puck-and toward Zach Werenski, who'd beaten him there. Then the Canadian hesitated, ever so slightly. That was all it took. Werenski was able to fight him off, turn back, and get off a sharp pass across the ice to Hughes, who was flying up the left side. Hughes was ready for it. He shot and scored, a goal"

In Milano Cortina overtime, Jack Hughes poked the puck around a Canadian defender and scored after Zach Werenski created space and assisted. The three-on-three overtime format opened the ice and allowed a rapid American attack to exploit Nathan MacKinnon's slight hesitation. MacKinnon had been dominant throughout a fast, physical, and highly skilled game and had even missed an open net in the third period. The goal delivered the United States its first men's Olympic hockey gold since 1980. Political tensions and national identity heightened the rivalry between the teams.

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