Jack Hughes lost teeth from a high-stick to the mouth before his Olympic gold-winning goal
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United States' Jack Hughes (86), who scored the winning overtime goal, celebrates after defeating Canada in the men's ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)United States' Jack Hughes (86) and Clayton Keller (91) react after receiving their gold medals after the USA defeated Canada in the men's ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)United States' Jack Hughes celebrates after scoring the winning goal against Canada during the overtime period of the men's ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
United States' Jack Hughes (86), who scored the winning overtime goal, celebrates after defeating Canada in the men's ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
MILAN – Jack Hughes lost some teeth before he won Olympic gold for the United States.
The forward who put the puck in the net in overtime to give the Americans a 2-1 victory over Canada in the men's hockey final Sunday did so with a bloody mouth and less of a bite than he began the game with. That's because Hughes was spittin' chiclets after taking a stick to the mouth from Sam Bennett in the third period.
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“More people are going to be looking at his medal," said Matt Boldy, who scored the other U.S. goal, “than his teeth.”
The 24-year-old Hughes is a forward for the New Jersey Devils in the NHL. He scored past Canadian goalie Jordan Binnington after a little more than 1 1/2 minutes of extra time.
Hughes' brother, Quinn, is a defenseman for the Americans, who won the country's first gold in men's hockey since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” team that upset the heavily favored Soviet Union at Lake Placid.
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