Team USA Jack Eichel celebrates with fans after defeating Team Canada at the hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Italy on Sun Feb 22, 2026 (AP News photo)

USA Hockey Gold for Country and Flag

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

For the third time in Olympic history, the United States won men’s hockey gold and for the first time since the Miracle on Ice in 1980 against the Soviet Union. Men’s hockey is the last event in the Olympics, and this 2026 Canada vs USA match did not disappoint.

The USA faced a tough and talented Canadian team, as NBC reported a huge audience for the final event of the Olympics. The game aired at five in the morning West Coast time. Many were up early to watch this event of the two big North American rivals who share a friendly border.

Known as the longest international boundary in the world, and one of those that got up this early was my youngest son, Geoffrey, who is a huge San José Sharks fan and a big Hockey enthusiast, who played in an Amateur Ice Hiockey League, This was Geoffrey’s commentary on the game:

“It was a great game, one of the best games I have seen. But like most sports, defense wins championships, even though Canada had the best players, McDavid, Mackinnon, Crosby (hurt), and Celebrini, the USA had the best defense and Goalie. Solid defense, great goaltending, and some puck luck… gave the USA the edge. Also, it’s a shame that it was 3v3 for OT. It should be 5v5 just like the Stanley Cup Playoffs.”

Jack Hughes, who has played his entire NHL career for the New Jersey Devils, scored the winning goal at 1:41 into overtime, sending the Americans to their third Olympic title as they defeated Canada 2-1. The other goal for the US was scored by Matt Boldy, who plays for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League.

While Cale Makar, who plays for the Colorado Avalanche, scored the lone goal for the Canadians. This USA Olympic team defeated a very tough and seasoned Canadian team, even without their great player, Sydney “Sid the Kid” Crosby who suffered a lower-body injury in the quarterfinals against Czechia, causing him to miss the semifinal and the gold medal game against the USA. Despite trying to return, the injury sustained from a hit kept him out. He is there and together with the rest of the Canadians who received their Silver Medal.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com