Team USA men’s hockey brought home its first gold medal since the “Miracle on Ice” Olympics in 1980, so let’s not beat around the bush.

From a member of the Canadian team assessing the game with “you be the judge of who the better team was,” to recent political events coloring the always-civil online discussion of a major world sporting event, reaction was swift across North America.

You might say it was almost as swift as Jack Hughes’ golden goal less than 2 minutes into OT this morning. If you were so inclined.

Let’s get to it.

Uh-oh. Big pre-game talk memorialized forever online … an unfortunate symptom of our modern technological times.

Dear American Friends,

I love you all very much, but unless you're cheering for Canada, for the next few hours, you are the enemy.

We can go back to being friends after Canada wins ????????❤️

Love, Me ????❤️???????? pic.twitter.com/MLafjUigdq

— Jen (ESC) ????????❤️???? (@Smil3yAngel) February 22, 2026

This is hard to argue with. In real time, it happened too fast, but the replay had everyone at Primanti Brothers in Harmar gasping.

Greatest save in USA Hockey History. pic.twitter.com/7Ig1iwRYNk

— BucciOT.Com (@Buccigross) February 22, 2026

Speaking of Primanti’s, it’s hard for a reporter to argue with a Sunday assignment that includes a capicola sandwich and watching Team USA win their first gold medal since before the reporter was born.

Sunday's assignment? Go watch Team USA win their first gold medal since before you were born.

Done and done. https://t.co/cw4j30ZLxN

— Patrick Varine – Tribune-Review (@VarineTrib) February 22, 2026

It would be remiss not to toss the golden goal on here.

46 YEARS TO THE DAY. GOLD AGAIN. ????????????#WinterOlympicspic.twitter.com/zulrmPPLfA

— Team USA (@TeamUSA) February 22, 2026

Here we have a very funny critique of modern sports media from RetroPitt.

If ESPN broadcasted the #USA goal at the #Olympics2026 pic.twitter.com/XSIvKIZT1I

— Retro Pitt (@RetroPitt) February 22, 2026

Here’s one that’s both charming and hilarious: A 10U hockey team watches the golden goal at the Lemieux Sports Complex … but a guy whose television feed was clearly about 2 seconds ahead comes blasting through celebrating the win before they see it.

The Pens Elite 10U Gold team watched the gold medal game together in the lobby of the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex. Team manager Joe Welch shared this video of their reaction to Jack Hughes’ golden goal.

Apparently, the kids were running around chanting “U-S-A” after. pic.twitter.com/F8ZLYLyC1B

— King Jemison (@king_jemison) February 22, 2026

Hockey writer Joshua Clipperton got quite a post-game quote from Team Canada’s Nathan MacKinnon.

A gutted Nathan MacKinnon: "You be the judge of who was the better team today."

— Joshua Clipperton (@JClipperton_CP) February 22, 2026

OK, yes, technically, Canada has no SEC Championships. Seems like piling on, though.

"Canada"

– Men lost in OT to USA ????– Women lost in OT to USA ????– Zero SEC championships pic.twitter.com/XKzjvRCZhd

— Deablo fan account (@DeferredWalkOn) February 22, 2026

The Big Man, diplomatic as always.

Sid said he was pretty close to playing. Also said Canada deserved better vs USA. This is a really good interview. pic.twitter.com/5ewXYEkTFs

— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) February 22, 2026

Let’s head back to the locker room!

Oh they are having A TIME pic.twitter.com/VZ2RZIZjis

— alicia (@LeeshaMae31) February 22, 2026

This man got cooked by his own tweet getting tossed back at him.

pic.twitter.com/19IgZcboHD

— Joe (@landlibertylife) February 22, 2026

Finally, for fans of the F/X comedy “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” it’s tough to see a U.S. national team win and not immediately start singing this gem.

Jack Hughes!

Rock, flag, and eagle pic.twitter.com/9EV4PKSoDn

— Greg Revak, CFP® (@CoachRevak) February 22, 2026

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