“Do you believe in miracles?!” is what Al Michaels famously said while announcing the Semi-Final game between the United States and the Soviet Union in the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics. The US Men’s hockey team would go on to win gold that year, and would have to endure a 26-year drought after that gold medal win. With the closing ceremony on Sunday, the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics officially came to an end. Both the United States’ Hockey Teams took home gold in their respective categories, among many other American medalists.
While the Olympics ended for the United States in the “Golden Goal” delivered by Jack Hughes, the Americans finished second in total medals behind Norway. The final medal counts read: Norway with 41 total and 18 gold, the United States with 33 total and 12 gold, and Italy with 30 total and 12 gold.
Team USA secured two gold medals in Speed Skating, both secured by Wisconsin native Jordan Stolz, who broke world records in both of his events, and was the most decorated American athlete of the games. Additionally, Alysa Liu brought home gold in the women’s individual figureskating, the first American woman to do so in 24 years, and Ilia Malinin helped win gold in the team event.
Most notably, however, Team USA secured gold in both Men’s and Women’s hockey, both winning in tight games against Team Canada. American goalie Connor Hellebuyck was irreplaceable in the men’s overtime win, allowing only one goal on 42 shots taken by Canada, leading President Trump to award him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Forward Jack Hughes ultimately scored the game-winning goal one minute and forty-one seconds into overtime, after chipping multiple teeth from a high-stick penalty.
As the team posed with flags draped around their shoulders and gold medals glistening on their chests, Dylan Larkin and Zach Werenski went into the stands to get Johnny Gaudreau’s young children so they could share the moment with Team USA. Gaudreu tragically passed away in 2024 from a drunk driver and would have been on the Men’s Hockey Team.
This year was truly an exciting Olympics. Fans will have to wait another four years to witness another epic spectacle: the XXVI Olympic Winter Games. However, they will only have to wait two years to be graced by another Olympic Games, which will be the Summer Olympics and hosted in July of 2028 in Los Angeles, California.
