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The stage is set for the most anticipated showdown in the world of ice hockey. North America's two superpowers, the United States and Canada, have lived up to expectations and will face off this Sunday in the grand final of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. It is a matchup with historic undertones: the first final featuring NHL players since 2014 and the first direct clash for gold between these two countries since Vancouver 2010.
While the Americans seek to end a 46-year gold medal drought (since the "Miracle on Ice" in 1980), the Canadians will attempt to reaffirm their dominance in an edition where they have proven to be masters of survival.
The American "steamroller": Absolute dominance against Slovakia
The United States secured its ticket to the final with a display of authority and roster depth, defeating Slovakia 6-2. Unlike their northern neighbors, the Stars and Stripes left no room for drama. The offense was led by a brilliant Jack Hughes, who scored twice, while goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was nearly unbeatable between the pipes.
The scoring opened early thanks to Dylan Larkin, who capitalized on a poor Slovak line change to fire past goaltender Samuel Hlavaj after an assist from Zach Werenski. Shortly afterward, Tage Thompson extended the lead on a power play. Although Thompson left the game as a precaution due to an injury, the team did not slow down: Jack Eichel and Hughes sealed the contest with offensive bursts that left the tournament's surprise team without answers. With this result, the U.S. enters the final with the strongest roster in its history, relying on its solid defense and elite goaltending.
Canada's escape act: Epic comeback against Finland
Meanwhile, Team Canada punched its ticket after another "heart-stopping" performance at Arena Santagiulia. For the second consecutive game, the Canadians had to overcome a two-goal deficit, ultimately defeating Finland 3-2. In the absence of Sidney Crosby (out with a lower-body injury), leadership was taken over by Connor McDavid, who delivered a historic night.
Finland took a 2-0 lead with goals from Mikko Rantanen and Erik Haula, the latter shorthanded, before retreating into an almost perfect defensive system. However, Canadian persistence broke the wall: Sam Reinhart cut the deficit and Shea Theodore tied the game with a powerful shot in the third period. The moment of glory came with just 35.2 seconds remaining: McDavid assisted Nathan MacKinnon, who scored the game-winning goal, unleashing madness on the Canadian bench. With his two assists, McDavid set a new record for points in a single Olympic edition featuring NHL players (13 points).
How to watch the gold medal final: Time and broadcast details
The men's hockey grand final is the marquee event of the closing of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games. Here are the details so you don't miss the clash between the two powerhouses:
- Date: Sunday, February 22, 2026.
- Time: 8:10 a.m. ET
- Where to watch in the U.S.: Live broadcast will be available through NBC and the Peacock streaming service.
- Additional channels: In Canada, the game will be broadcast on CBC, TSN, and Sportsnet.