When Jack Hughes took a vicious stick to the face during the Olympic showdown between Team USA and Canada, the cameras didn’t miss a second — blood spreading across the ice, teammates frantically signaling for medical help, and a visibly stunned bench watching in disbelief. Doctors later confirmed he had suffered serious dental injuries. For most players, that kind of blow would have ended their night.
But not Hughes. The forward who scored the overtime goal to clinch a 2-1 victory for the Americans did it with a bloody mouth and a lot less bite than when he started the game. He had taken a stick from Sam Bennett late in the third period, sending teeth flying in what one teammate jokingly described as “spittin’ chiclets.”
“Honestly, more eyes will be on his gold medal than his teeth,” said Matt Boldy, who netted the other goal for the U.S.
The 24-year-old, who plays forward for the New Jersey Devils, beat Canadian goalie Jordan Binnington just over 90 seconds into overtime. His brother, Quinn Hughes, a defenseman, also played a key role in the historic win. This gold marked the first men’s hockey triumph for the United States since the legendary 1980 “Miracle on Ice” team toppled the heavily favored Soviet Union at Lake Placid.