The Team USA men’s hockey squad secured gold at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics on Sunday, taking down the tournament-favorite Canadian team with a 2-1 final score.
Goals from Team USA’s Matt Boldy and Team Canada’s Cale Makar had the game knotted up 1-1 at the end of regulation. But just two minutes into the first 3v3 overtime period, Jack Hughes slotted a shot into the bottom right corner to give the United States men’s team its first Olympic gold medal since the 1980 Miracle on Ice.
This golden goal sent the entire country in a frenzy. That being said, no one was more excited than Hughes’ father.
NBC cameras caught Jim Hughes’ reaction after his son solidified his spot as an American hockey legend.
“That’s a proud father! Jack Hughes’ dad going crazy after his son scored THE golden goal is pure gold itself,” The Olympic Games’ official account posted on social media.
The Hughes patriarch was praised for his reaction in the comment section.
“All those cold, Saturday mornings dragging everyone and everything to the ice rink week after week, year after year are now a part of an American sport legend. Congratulations to all, so very happy for you!” one fan wrote.
“These are PROUD PARENTS who raised good kids – working hard to get them to practice, supporting them, and even following them to Gold. Congratulations – Well Deserved!” another said.
“Parent shots alway make me tear up. Epic goal and game. Go team,” another added.
“The years of sacrifice the parents make for their kids to play club hockey is what today was about. It takes a strong family to raise strong children!” another wrote.
These Olympic Games were huge for the Hughes family. Jack’s brother, Quinn, scored a game-winning overtime goal against Sweden in the quarterfinals — sending Team USA to its semifinal matchup against Slovakia.
“He’s a freaking gamer,” Quinn said of his younger brother. “He’s always been a gamer. Just mentally tough, been through a lot, loves the game. American hero.”
