USA Completes Historic Hockey Sweep at Milan Cortina 2026
MILAN, Italy — The United States completed a historic sweep of the hockey tournaments at the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Milan Cortina, with a dominant 6-2 victory over Canada in the Para ice hockey final on Sunday.1 This achievement marks the first time a nation has secured gold in both Olympic and Paralympic ice hockey in the same year.
Wallace Leads the Way with Hat Trick
Jack Wallace spearheaded the U.S. Victory with a remarkable hat trick, captivating the near-capacity crowd of 10,795 spectators at the Milano Cortina Ice Hockey Arena.1 The win represents a fifth consecutive Paralympic title for the U.S. Team.
A Journey of Perseverance
Wallace’s journey to Paralympic gold is particularly inspiring. He had his right leg amputated above the knee following a water-skiing accident at age 10, initially believing his hockey dreams were over.1 Discovering Para ice hockey reignited his passion for the sport, and his performance in the final showcased his dedication, and skill.
Team Captain Reflects on Success
U.S. Captain Josh Pauls expressed his pride in the team’s accomplishment and highlighted the importance of grassroots development programs.1 “I’m glad we got it done…I think it really just shows how much they invest in the grassroots programs because we have so many young players coming up and playing pivotal roles on our teams,” Pauls stated.
Dominance in Para Ice Hockey
The U.S. Has now won six of the past seven editions of the Winter Paralympics in Para ice hockey, demonstrating consistent excellence in the sport.1 This latest victory marks a third straight loss in the final for Canada, who last won Paralympic gold in Turin in 2006.
Bronze Medal Match
Earlier in the day, China secured the bronze medal, defeating the Czech Republic 3-2 in a hard-fought match.1
Record-Breaking Attendance
The final between the U.S. And Canada set a new attendance record for Para ice hockey at a major tournament, with 10,795 fans in attendance.1 This surpassed the previous record of 8,992 spectators set during the preliminary round game between the U.S. And Italy.
Growing Parity in Ice Hockey
Pauls noted the growing parity between sled hockey and stand-up ice hockey, attributing the enthusiastic crowd support to the increasing recognition and appreciation of the sport.1
U.S. Men’s Hockey Triumph
This Paralympic gold medal follows the U.S. Men’s team’s victory at the 2026 Winter Olympics, where they defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime to win their first Olympic gold since the “Miracle on Ice” in 1980.2 Quinn Hughes scored the overtime goal in the Olympic final, while his brother, Jack Hughes, netted the game-winner in the Paralympic final.
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