Team Canada had plenty of opportunities during Sunday’s gold medal game against the United States but ultimately failed to capitalize, scoring just once on 41 shots against U.S. goalie Connor Hellebuyck.
The game was tied 1-1 at the end of regulation and went to overtime — a format that has drawn scrutiny throughout the men’s hockey tournament at these Olympic Games.
The overtime period is played 3-on-3, very similar to the NHL’s regular-season format. However, in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and Stanley Cup Final, games remain 5-on-5 with full 20-minute periods and intermissions until a goal is scored.
Many believe the Olympic gold medal game should follow a similar structure to the NHL postseason. However, with the Games operating on a tight schedule across multiple events, organizers have opted against extended overtime.
That decision proved costly for Canada, as Jack Hughes quickly ended the game in 3-on-3 overtime with a clean shot to secure a 2-1 victory and the United States’ first Olympic gold medal in 46 years.
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JACK HUGHES DELIVERS AMERICA’S GOLDEN MOMENT IN OVERTIME. pic.twitter.com/4foFDOri53
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 22, 2026
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After the loss, Canada coach Jon Cooper voiced his frustration with the format, calling it “not hockey anymore” when four players are taken off the ice.
“You take four players off the ice, now hockey’s not hockey anymore,” Cooper said postgame. “There’s a reason overtime and shootouts are in play — it’s all TV-driven to end games, so it’s not a long time. There’s a reason why it’s not in the Stanley Cup Final or playoffs.”
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 22: Head coach Jon Cooper of Team Canada reacts in the third period during the Men’s Gold Medal match between Canada and the U…Read More
This marked Canada’s third consecutive game that went down to the wire. They defeated Czechia in the quarterfinals on an overtime goal and then beat Finland in a comeback victory, scoring in the final minutes of the third period.
In many ways, Canada had been playing with fire throughout the week. While they skated well very well on Sunday, their inability to convert chances and put more pucks in the net ultimately proved to be the deciding factor.
