No need to believe in miracles this time around. The U.S. men’s hockey team entered the 2026 Milan Cortina Games as a contender and now sits one victory away from its first Olympic gold medal since 1980. Back then the odds against the team were far greater, leading to their unlikely victory being dubbed the “Miracle on Ice.” It was during the 1980 Lake Placid Games — on February 22 — that a U.S. team comprised of collegiate and amateur players upset four-time defending gold-medalist Soviet Union en route to winning the gold medal two days later with a win over Finland. The date of February 22 once again has a chance to be etched into hockey history, as the U.S. men’s hockey team looks to capture its third gold medal when it plays Canada in the final on Sunday. It’s Team USA’s first appearance in the gold-medal game since 2010, which was also the last time the team reached the Olympic podium. The U.S. men’s hockey team, unbeaten at the 2026 Olympics, is now guaranteed its first medal in 16 years. The team went 3-0 in the preliminary round before defeating Sweden 2-1 in the quarterfinals on Quinn Hughes’ overtime goal and dominating Slovakia 6-2 in the semifinals.   Now comes a matchup against its rival to the north. Here’s a look back at the history of the USA vs. Canada matchup and Team USA’s medal history in men’s hockey. 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics 9 hours ago U.S. men's hockey team advances to gold-medal game. Here's how to watch 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics Feb 19 Team USA beats Canada 2-1 in overtime to win women's hockey gold medal How many Olympic gold medals has USA men’s hockey won? The U.S. men’s hockey team has won Olympic gold twice: in 1960 and 1980. The team got its first taste of Olympic gold at the 1960 Squaw Valley Games, in what has since been referred to as “The First Miracle” and the “Forgotten Miracle.” The team upset multiple hockey powers en route to winning all seven games it played, capped with a 9-4 win over Czechoslovakia to secure the gold. The “Miracle on Ice” squad of the 1980 Lake Placid Games produced one of the most iconic moments in sports history. The team upset four-time defending champion Soviet Union 4-3 but still had work to do in their final game of what was then a round-robin tournament to secure a medal. Trailing Finland 2-1 entering the third, the U.S. scored three goals in the period to win 4-2. How many Olympic medals has U.S. men’s hockey won? The U.S. men’s hockey team, which has competed in 23 Olympic Games since 1920, has won 11 Olympic medals: two gold, eight silver and one bronze. 2010 Vancouver Games – Silver 2002 Salt Lake City Games – Silver 1980 Lake Placid Games – Gold 1972 Sapporo Games – Silver 1960 Squaw Valley Games – Gold 1956 Cortina d’Ampezzo Games – Silver 1952 Oslo Games – Silver 1936 Garmisch-Partenkirchen Games – Bronze 1932 Lake Placid Games – Silver 1924 Chamonix Games – Silver 1920 Antwerp Games – Silver How many Olympic gold medals has Canada men’s hockey won? Canada has the most Olympic gold medals in men’s hockey history with nine — having won in 1920, 1924, 1928, 1932, 1948, 1952, 2002, 2010 and 2014. How many Olympic medals has Canada men’s hockey won? Canada also holds the most total Olympic medals in men’s hockey history with 16 — earning nine gold, four silver (1936, 1960, 1992, 1994) and three bronze (1956, 1968, 2018). What is the USA men’s hockey team’s record vs. Canada at the Olympics? The two teams have met 19 times at the Olympics, according to The Sporting News, with Canada going 12-4-3 against Team USA. They last played in the preliminary round of the 2022 Beijing Games, with the U.S. winning 4-2. The most recent knockout-round matchup between the two was in the semifinals of the 2014 Sochi Games, which Canada won 1-0. The U.S. and Canada have faced off in the gold-medal game twice under the current Olympic format, with Canada winning 3-2 in 2010 and 5-2 in 2002. What is the USA women’s hockey team’s record vs. Canada at the Olympics? In women’s hockey, the U.S. and Canada have squared off in seven of the eight gold-medal games since the sport debuted at the Olympics in 1998, with the U.S. winning three and Canada winning five. Overall at the Olympics, the U.S. women’s hockey team has won five of its 12 matchups against Canada, including this year’s preliminary-round game and gold-medal game. ...read more read less