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The United States men’s hockey team not only made history on the ice, but also on television.
Team USA’s 2-1 overtime victory over Canada on Sunday was the most-watched pre-9 a.m. ET sporting event in U.S. history, NBC Sports said.
The game averaged a combined 20.7 million viewers and 18.6 million live (8:15 a.m. – 11 a.m. ET) on NBC and Peacock, the network’s streaming service. Ratings reached a peak of 26 million viewers with Jack Hughes’ golden goal.
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Team USA poses for a group photo after defeating Canada in the men’s ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Milan, Italy, Feb. 22, 2026. (Luca Bruno/AP Photo)
It is NBC Sports’ second most-watched hockey game, behind the men’s gold medal game at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, in which Canada defeated the United States in overtime, winning 3-2. That game began at 3:15 pm ET.
The gold medal thrill was Peacock and NBC Sports’ most-watched broadcast audience, excluding NFL games, with 3.7 million viewers.
Brady Tkachuk, Jack Hughes, Matthew Tkachuk and Quinn Hughes attend the US Men’s Hockey Team’s Olympic Gold Celebration at E11EVEN Miami. Miami, Florida, on February 23, 2026. (Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for E11EVEN Miami)
The US men’s team’s thrilling victory kicked off an exciting stretch as the team flew from Milan to Miami to celebrate their victory at Miami’s famous E11even nightclub. On Tuesday they were flown to the White House to meet with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.
The team made an appearance during the State of the Union address on Tuesday night, where Trump announced that goaltender Connor Hellebuyck would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his outstanding performance in the victory.
Goalie Connor Hellebuyck raises his gold medal as members of the US Olympic men’s hockey team are recognized by US President Donald Trump as he delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on February 24, 2026. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds-/AFP via Getty Images)
Trump also announced during his State of the Union address that the United States women’s hockey team, which also beat Canada in overtime in the gold medal game, has an upcoming visit to the White House.
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