It’s been 16 years since the USA and Canada last faced off in an Olympic men’s hockey gold medal game —and the rivalry between the two teams has never been more intense. 

How to Watch

Watch the 2026 Winter Olympics on NBC and Peacock.

As it turned out, after each team won their semifinal matches on Friday, they’ll battle it out for gold once again at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.

The two teams last met in the gold medal game in 2010, which Canada won 3-2 in overtime, thanks to a game-winning goal by Sidney Crosby, who had to sit out Canada’s semifinal game this year after getting injured in the quarterfinals.

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The U.S. men’s hockey team has not won an Olympic medal since 2010, where they earned silver. 

Canada also beat Team USA, 5-2, in the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic gold medal game, which was the only other time the teams met in the final game this century. The U.S. beat Canada in 1960 to earn its first-ever Olympic gold hockey medal. America’s only other gold medal in the event came during the “Miracle on Ice”  game at the 1980 Olympics, where the team defeated the Soviet Union 4-3.

With the rivalry between the two teams at an all-time high ever since Canada’s overtime win against the U.S. at the 4 Nations Face-Off international tournament in February of 2025, you won’t want to miss this gold medal match. Keep reading for more details!

How can I watch the Olympic men’s hockey gold medal game?

The game will begin on Sunday, February 22 at 8 a.m. ET/5 a.m. PT, airing on NBC and streaming on Peacock. Olympic coverage begins at 7 a.m. ET on Sunday on both the network and the streaming service. 

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How do the U.S. and Canada’s hockey teams stack up when it comes to Olympic medals?

Canada’s men’s hockey team has won more medals than any other country, 16 in total. And the U.S. isn’t too far behind, having earned 11 over the years, the third most that any nation has won in the sport. 

All about Team USA’s hockey team

Team USA is led by captain and five-time NHL All-Star Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs), Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks), four-time NHL All-Star Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa Senators), and two-time NHL All-Star Matthew Tkachuk (Florida Panthers).

The squad beat Latvia, Denmark, and Germany in preliminary play, then went on to defeat Sweden 2-1 in the quarterfinal, before beating Slovakia 6-2 to move on to their first gold medal game since 2010.

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All about Canada’s hockey team

Canada’s team is let by three-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers), six-time NHL All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins), and 2024 NHL No. 1 overall pick Macklin Celebrini (San Jose Sharks).

The Canadian team beat Czechia, Switzerland, and France in preliminary play, then defeated Czechia 4-3 in the quarterfinals, before beating Finland 3-2 in their semifinal round.

What broadcasters will call the men’s hockey gold medal game?

The gold medal game will be called by play-by-play commentator Kenny Albert; 1994 Stanley Cup champion, and 1984 U.S. Olympian Eddie Olczyk; former NHL goaltender and “Inside the Glass” reporter Brian Boucher; and reporter Kathryn Tappen. 

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The women’s hockey gold medal game, which took place on Thursday, February 19, also saw the U.S. and Canada face off. Team USA’s women’s team won 2-1, earning that hockey squad its first gold medal since 2018.