NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
The U.S. men’s hockey team not only made history on the ice, but on television as well.
Team USA’s 2-1 overtime victory over Canada on Sunday was the most-watched sporting event before 9 a.m. ET (start time) in U.S. history, NBC Sports said.
The game averaged 20.7 million viewers and 18.6 million live (8:15-11 a.m. ET) on NBC and Peacock, the network’s streaming service. The audience peaked at 26 million viewers for Jack Hughes’ golden goal.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
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, February 22, 2026. (Luca Bruno/AP Photo)
It was the second most-watched hockey game in NBC Sports history, behind the men’s gold medal game at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, which Canada beat the United States in overtime, winning 3-2. This game started at 3:15 p.m. ET.
The exciting gold medal win was Peacock and NBC Sports’ most-watched streaming audience, excluding NFL games, with 3.7 million viewers.
Brady Tkachuk, Jack Hughes, Matthew Tkachuk and Quinn Hughes attend a celebration of the U.S. men’s hockey team’s Olympic gold medal at E11EVEN Miami. Miami, Florida, February 23, 2026. (Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for E11EVEN Miami)
The U.S. men’s team’s thrilling victory marked the start of an exhilarating streak, as the team flew from Milan to Miami to celebrate their victory at the famous Miami nightclub, E11even. On Tuesday, they traveled 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 Tuesday night, where Trump announced that guard 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 United States men’s Olympic hockey team are recognized by U.S. President Donald Trump as he delivers the State of the Union address in the U.S. Capitol Hall. Washington, DC, February 24, 2026. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds-/AFP via Getty Images)
Trump also announced during his State of the Union address that the U.S. women’s hockey team, which also beat Canada in overtime in the gold medal game, would soon visit the White House.
Related article
