The United States and Canada national teams will face off in Sunday's men's ice hockey final at the Milan Olympic Games. The Americans advanced to the decisive match after an impressive 6-2 victory over Slovakia, while the Canadians eliminated the defending champions, Finland, winning 3-2. This is the first Olympic final for both powerhouses featuring NHL players since 2010, making this event the most anticipated moment of the 2026 Winter Games.

The Grand Return of NHL Stars

The world's best hockey players have returned to the Games after a 12-year break, enabling a clash between the USA and Canada in their strongest lineups.

Canada's Roster Problems

Josh Morrissey will not play in the final, and captain Sidney Crosby's participation remains in question due to injury.

USA Battles History

The Americans last won the gold medal in 1980; Sunday's final comes 46 years after the famous 'Miracle on Ice'.

Sunday's men's ice hockey final in Milan is shaping up to be one of the most significant events in modern winter sports history. For the first time in twelve years, the world's best hockey players from the NHL are participating in the Games, allowing the formation of 'dream teams' for both North American powers. The Americans, led by dynamic Jack Hughes and experienced Dylan Larkin, gave Slovakia no chance in the semifinal, winning 6-2. The U.S. team stands before a historic opportunity to win the gold medal exactly 46 years after the legendary 'Miracle on Ice' at Lake Placid. Meanwhile, Canada, despite grappling with roster issues, showed tremendous determination in their clash with Finland, overcoming a two-goal deficit to win 3:2. The roster situation in the 'Maple Leaf' camp remains uncertain. It has been officially confirmed that key defenseman Josh Morrissey will not play in the final due to an upper-body injury sustained during the group stage. The participation of captain and legend of the sport, Sidney Crosby, is also in question. Despite these setbacks, experts point to Canada as a slight favorite, highlighting the incredible form of Connor McDavid, who leads the tournament's scoring race with 13 points. This rivalry carries not only sporting but also sentimental weight – for many players, such as Charlie McAvoy or Brady Tkachuk, it is the fulfillment of childhood dreams of fighting for the most precious trophy in national colors. The hockey rivalry between the USA and Canada is considered the most prestigious in the world of winter sports. The most famous final involving both teams took place in 2010 in Vancouver, when Sidney Crosby scored the 'golden goal' in overtime, securing Canada's victory on home ice. It is worth noting that hockey excitement in Milan has already peaked in the women's tournament, where the U.S. team defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime. That match attracted a record television audience of 5.3 million people in the United States alone, making it the most-watched women's hockey game in history. Sunday's men's final is expected to break all viewership records in North America, becoming a global spectacle broadcast to nearly every corner of the world. Slovakia and Finland, meanwhile, will battle for the bronze medal on Saturday, which for the Slovaks is a chance to confirm their place among the world's elite after a successful tournament. 46 lat — Americans await their next Olympic gold medal

Mentioned People

  • Sidney Crosby — Captain of the Canadian national team, whose participation in the final is uncertain due to injury.
  • Connor McDavid — Star player of the Canadian national team, leader of the tournament's scoring race.
  • Jack Hughes — Forward for the USA, a key player in the semifinal victory over Slovakia.
  • Josh Morrissey — Defenseman for Canada, who will not play in the gold medal match due to injury.