Overtime hockey heartbreak closes Milan Cortina Olympics for Canada

MILAN (AP) — Canada’s Olympic run in Italy ended with a 2-1 overtime loss to the United States in the men’s hockey final on Sunday.

Jack Hughes scored 1:41 into overtime, left alone in the slot during 3-on-3 play as Canada scrambled after surrendering an odd-man break seconds earlier. Matt Boldy also scored for the Americans, while Cale Makar had Canada's only goal.

“It’s really disappointing, especially with the group we had," Canada's 19-year-old forward Macklin Celebrini said. "The whole time, we believed in ourselves. We had lots of chances, I had lots of chances, I missed. You get put in those situations, you have to capitalize on your opportunities, and I didn’t.

“We went through a lot. We’re all going to remember this time, but unfortunately, it’s going to be more motivational than celebration.”

The gold is the United States’ first in Olympic men’s hockey since the 1980 Lake Placid Games.

Canada played the final without captain Sidney Crosby, sidelined by a lower-body injury sustained when his right leg bent awkwardly in the quarterfinal win over Czechia. He also missed the 3-2 semifinal victory over Finland.

“It was a tough decision,” Crosby said. "Obviously in your head, you always want to be out there and find every way possible. But not at the expense of what needs to be done. And then watching how we played today, the guys played incredible.’’

AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

Canada's Sidney Crosby, center, reacts with teammates after losing to the United States in a men's ice hockey gold medal game between Canada and the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Team Canada players watch as United States players celebrate following the United States' win 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)

Canada's Jordan Binnington (50) reacts after United States' Jack Hughes, not seen, scored his side's second goal during a men's ice hockey gold medal game between Canada and the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (Bruce Bennett/Pool Photo via AP)

Canada's Connor McDavid (97) reacts after Canada lost to the United States in a men's ice hockey gold medal game between Canada and the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Canada goalkeeper Jordan Binnington looks back at the net as a shot by United States' Jack Hughes gets past for the winning goal in 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)

Three Premier League players were targeted with racist abuse online after their games this weekend.

Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana and Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri shared images of racist messages they were sent privately over Instagram following their teams' match at Stamford Bridge that finished 1-1.

On Sunday, Wolverhampton striker Tolu Arokodare showed racially aggravated messages he received on Instagram after a 1-0 loss at Crystal Palace, during which he had a penalty saved.

The incidents came days after UEFA began an investigation into claims by Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior that he was racially abused on the field by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni during a Champions League game in Lisbon.

Fofana, who was sent off for receiving two yellow cards against Burnley, posted screenshots of messages he had been sent and wrote on Instagram: “2026, it’s still the same thing, nothing changes. These people are never punished.

“You create big campaigns against racism, but nobody actually does anything.”

Mejbri wrote on his Instagram story: “It’s 2026 and there are still people like that. Educate yourself and your kids, please.”

Chelsea said in a statement the abuse directed at Fofana was "completely unacceptable and runs counter to the values of the game and everything we stand for as a club."

“We stand unequivocally with Wes," the statement read. "He has our full support, as do all our players who are too often forced to endure this hatred simply for doing their job.

“We will work with the relevant authorities and platforms in identifying the perpetrators and take the strongest possible action.”

Burnley said in its statement there was "no place for this in our society and we condemn it unreservedly.”

One of the racist messages sent to Arokodare on Sunday appeared to be from a gambler.

Writing on his Instagram story, Arokodare said: “It's still unbelievable to me that we're playing in a time where people have so much freedom to communicate such racism without any consequences.”

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Burnley's Hannibal Mejbri, left, and Mansfield Town's Luke Bolton during the English FA Cup fourth round soccer match between Burnley and Mansfield Town in Burnley, England, Saturday Feb. 14, 2026. (Richard Sellers/PA via AP)