Canada lost both Olympic gold medal hockey games at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics with the men falling 2-1 to the United States on Sunday after Jack Hughes scored just 1:41 into 3-on-3 overtime. The women's team suffered an identical 2-1 overtime defeat three days earlier with Megan Keller scoring 4:07 into the extra frame.
Both championship games were decided under the IIHF's 3-on-3 overtime format, a departure from traditional 5-on-5 playoff hockey that has sparked controversy across the hockey world.
Former Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane took to X following the men's final with a blunt criticism of the format.
"3 on 3 should be never what determines a championship game," he tweeted.
3 on 3 should be never what determines a championship game.
— Evander Kane (@evanderkane) February 22, 2026
His sentiment was echoed by veteran hockey insider Pierre LeBrun, who wrote: "Honestly will say it again, 3 on 3 OT in gold medal game is such a brutal way to end it."
3-on-3 format under fire
The criticism stems from an unprecedented and painful reality for Canadian hockey. Both the men's and women's teams lost Olympic gold medal games by identical 2-1 scores in 3-on-3 overtime, just three days apart.
The women fell first on February 19 when Megan Keller scored 4:07 into overtime to give USA the gold. Then on February 22, Jack Hughes scored just 1:41 into overtime taking a centering pass from Zach Werenski and beating Jordan Binnington five-hole to complete the American sweep.
Under the new IIHF rules, gold medal games feature 20-minute 3-on-3 overtime periods that continue until someone scores. No shootout. This strays from traditional Olympic hockey where overtime was played 5-on-5.
Even Team Canada head coach Jon Cooper, who tried to avoid making excuses, couldn't hide his frustration: "You take four players off the ice, now hockey's not hockey anymore. There's a reason why (3-on-3) is not in the Stanley Cup final or playoffs."
The NHL uses 3-on-3 overtime for regular season games as a quick entertaining way to produce a winner for television purposes. But in the playoffs when championships are on the line, the league reverts to traditional 5-on-5 hockey.
Canada dominated the men's final
The ending felt particularly cruel for Team Canada. After dominating much of the game and outshooting the Americans 42-28 overall, Canada pushed hard through regulation but couldn't break through Connor Hellebuyck who made 41 saves.
Matt Boldy opened the scoring for USA in the first period before Cale Makar tied it for Canada. The game remained deadlocked through regulation despite Canada's territorial advantage.
Then came overtime. Canada turned the puck over and the Americans skated down on a 3-on-1 with Werenski finding Hughes in the slot. Hughes beat Binnington with a well-placed five-hole shot.
It was the exact type of odd-man rush and broken play that defines 3-on-3 hockey. Exciting, yes, but hardly representative of which team played better over 60 minutes of regulation.
The women's final heartbreak
The women's final followed a similar script. USA captain Hilary Knight tied the game for USA with just 2:04 remaining in regulation redirecting a Laila Edwards shot to force overtime after Canada had led.
This marked the third consecutive gold medal game between USA and Canada to go to overtime (also 2014 and 2018). But this time, the 3-on-3 format seemed to favor the Americans' speed and transition game.