Matt Boldy #12 of Team United States scores a goal past Jordan Binnington #50 of Team Canada in the first period during the Men's Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milan …
(FOX 9) - For the first time since the 1980 Miracle on Ice, the United States men’s hockey team has captured Olympic gold and several Minnesota players helped bring the 46-year-long drought to an end.
Boldy scores first
What we know:
A Minnesota Wild player came up big in the gold medal game, putting the US on the board first and early.
On the first shot of the game for the United States, on a one vs. two break, Wild forward Matt Boldy flipped the puck up and was able to sneak it past Team Canada goalie Jordan Binnington. The go-ahead score came just six minutes into the first period.
The goal proved to be crucial for the United States as it would be the only goal scored in regulation for the Americans. Canada would ultimately answer back with a second period goal by Cale Makar.
The backstory:
The goal marked Boldy's second goal of the Olympics, but it couldn't have come at a more critical time. His first goal came during the United States' matchup against Denmark.
His Wild teammate, Quinn Hughes, also only has one goal for Team USA but leads the US in points thanks to six assists. Hughes was credited with an assist on Boldy's goal on Sunday.
Jack Hughes put in game-winner for US
Big picture view:
Tied 1-1 at the end of regulation, the game went to overtime. In overtime, Jack Hughes, Quinn's brother, was able to score the gold medal goal for the United States, sealing the team's first Olympic gold medal in more than four decades.
Other Minnesotans on Team USA
Local perspective:
Along with two Wild players, two former Gopher skaters, Brock Faber of Maple Grove and Jackson LaCombe of Eden Prairie, claimed gold medals as part of Team USA. A third Gopher, Erik Haula, earned a bronze medal with Team Finland.
There were also three other Minnesotans playing for the United States: Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jake Guentzel of Woodbury, Colorado Avalanche forward Brock Nelson of Warroad, and Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger of Lakeville.