The U.S. men’s hockey team is now one win away from winning its first Olympic gold medal since 1980, having qualified as a contender for the 2026 Milan Cortina Games.
Because of the far higher odds against them at the time, the team’s improbable victory was known as the “Miracle on Ice.”
On February 22, 1980, at the Lake Placid Games, a U.S. team of amateur and collegiate athletes defeated the Soviet Union, the four-time defending gold medalists, to capture the gold medal two days later against Finland.
When the U.S. men’s hockey team plays Canada in the final on Sunday, it has another opportunity to make hockey history. The team is hoping to win its third gold medal.
Since 2010, when the team last placed on the Olympic podium, Team USA has not participated in the gold medal game. Unbeaten in the 2026 Olympics, the U.S. men’s hockey team is now certain to win its first medal in sixteen years.
Before defeating Sweden 2-1 in the quarterfinals thanks to a goal from Quinn Hughes in overtime and sweeping Slovakia 6-2 in the semifinals, the team finished 3-0 in the preliminary round.
It now faces up against its northern competitor. Here is a look back at Team USA’s men’s hockey medal history and the history of the USA vs. Canada game.
How many gold medals has the USA men’s hockey team won at the Olympics?
In 1960 and 1980, the U.S. men’s hockey team won gold at the Olympics.
Known as “The First Miracle” and “The Forgotten Miracle,” the team’s first taste of Olympic gold came at the 1960 Squaw Valley Games. The team won all seven of its games, including a 9–4 victory over Czechoslovakia to claim the gold, defeating several hockey powers in the process.
During the 1980 Lake Placid Games, the “Miracle on Ice” team created one of the most memorable events in sports history. The squad defeated the Soviet Union, the four-time defending champion, 4-3, but they still needed to win their last match in the round-robin competition to earn a medal. The U.S. scored three goals in the third period to win 4-2, trailing Finland 2-1 going into the game.
How many medals has American men’s hockey won at the Olympics?
Since competing in 23 Olympic Games since 1920, the American men’s hockey team has won 11 medals: two gold, eight silver, and one bronze.
Silver at the 2010 Vancouver Games
Silver at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games
Gold at the 1980 Lake Placid Games, Silver at the 1972 Sapporo Games, and Gold at the 1960 Squaw Valley Games
“Job’s not done”: Canada men are prepared for the hockey gold medal match. 1956 Cortina d’Ampezzo Games: Silver; 1952 Oslo Games: Silver; 1936 Garmisch-Partenkirchen Games: Bronze; 32 Lake Placid Games: Silver; 24 Chamonix Games: Silver; and 1920 Antwerp Games: Silver
How many gold medals has Canada’s men’s hockey team won at the Olympics?
With nine gold medals in men’s hockey from 1920, 1924, 1928, 1932, 1948, 1952, 2002, 2010, and 2014, Canada holds the record.
How many medals has Canada’s men’s hockey team won at the Olympics?
In men’s hockey, Canada has won the most Olympic medals (16), including nine gold, four silver (1936, 1960, 1992, 1994), and three bronze (1956, 1968, 2018).
What is the Olympic record of the United States men’s hockey team against Canada?
According to The Sporting News, Canada has a 12-4-3 record versus Team USA in their 19 Olympic meetings. The last time they faced each other was in the Beijing Games preliminary round in 2022, where the United States prevailed 4-2. Canada triumphed 1-0 in their most recent knockout-round encounter, which took place in the 2014 Sochi Games semifinals.
Under the current Olympic system, the U.S. and Canada have played each other in the gold-medal game twice, with Canada winning 3-2 in 2010 and 5-2 in 2002.
What is the Olympic record of the United States women’s hockey team against Canada?
Since women’s hockey first appeared at the Olympics in 1998, the United States and Canada have faced off in seven of the eight gold-medal matches, with the United States winning three and Canada winning five. The U.S. women’s hockey team has defeated Canada in five of their twelve Olympic encounters, including the gold-medal and preliminary-round games this year.
Jordan Hall and Ashlyn Sullivan explain how Hilary Knight and Megan Keller helped the United States capture gold after a sluggish start versus Canada.
