SI:AM | Arrivederci, Milan

The U.S. men's hockey team ended a 46-year gold medal drought by dispatching Canada.

TYLER LAULETTA Good morning! I'm Tyler Lauletta, filling in for Dan Gartland, who is taking a much-deserved post-Olympics break. Enjoy, Dan! If I had a gold medal, I would give it to you. Alas. On to the newsletter. In today's SI:AM: ⛷️ The future of the Winter Games 🥇 Team USA ends drought 🏀 Pistons promise kept Team USA men's hockey gave the Olympics the ending it deserved Two weeks of amazing Olympics action came to a close on Sunday, with the men's hockey gold medal match between Team USA and Canada serving as the grand finale. Between the stellar Games that preceded it and the intense, international rivalry on the ice, the match had a lot to live up to, and somehow, it delivered. Matt Boldy put the Americans up early with a goal in the first period after slicing and dicing his way through the Canadian defense. That lead would hold through the first intermission. In the second, Team USA white-knuckled its way through an electric 5-on-3 penalty kill that felt miraculous in the moment. The U.S. was lucky not to concede there, as Canadian defenseman Cale Makar wristed a shot past goalie Connor Hellebuyck with just under two minutes remaining in the period. Through most of the game, Canada felt entirely in control even though the score was knotted at 1–1. The hero of the day was Hellebuyck, who came through time and time again to keep his team in it, with stunning stops against Connor McDavid and Devon Toews. CONTINUE TYLER'S COLUMN ON SI Join the SI College Basketball Newsletter SI's college basketball newsletter delivers insider reporting and can't-miss stories on the biggest moments from across the country. From weekly previews to in-depth features, it's your essential guide to staying ahead in the world of NCAA hoops. CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE Claudia Greco/Imagn Images The best of Sports Illustrated In today's Digital Cover, Ben Steiner asks what the future holds for the Winter Olympics as temperatures warm and the list of capable host cities diminishes. Michael Rosenberg writes that, after 46 years and three gold medal games against Canada since 2002, the Americans finally broke Canada. Pat Forde describes how Team USA remembered a valued teammate, Johnny Gaudreau, after winning the gold medal. The Milan Cortina closing ceremony drew the curtain on a Winter Games that captivated the hearts and minds of the world. Andrew Gastelum reports that it reminds us that what we love about Italy will continue to shape the way we celebrate its culture. Just over two years ago, Pistons owner Tom Gores promised Detroit fans there was a plan. With the Pistons now sitting atop the Eastern Conference standings, Chris Mannix sits down with Gores to discuss the team's turnaround. Steiner writes that Inter Miami's opening weekend match against LAFC broke MLS attendance records.  Grey Whitebloom breaks down four things we learned from Arsenal's 4-1 win over Tottenham. Get the print edition of Sports Illustrated delivered to your door. CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE! Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated 👀 The top five ... … images that will stick with me from Milan Cortina 2026: 5. Elana Meyers Taylor, the moment she realized she had won gold. 4. Amber Glenn after her redemption run in the women's free skate. 3. Nazgul, the accidental Olympics dog. 2. Team USA men's hockey celebrating gold. 1. Alysa Liu radiating pure joy. I think this shot by photographer Christophe Ena for the Associated Press is one of the best I have ever seen. The best of SI Video Chris Mannix and Evan Turner break down what James Harden can contribute to the Cavaliers and if the deal could be enough lure LeBron to Cleveland for the final season of his career. Join the SI Boxing Newsletter Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix provides a weekly spotlight, featuring in-depth reporting and sharp commentary, on the biggest fights and stories inside the ring. CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE W We may receive compensation for some links to products and services included in this email. Sports Publishing Solutions Inc. 625 Broadway, 10th floor New York, NY. 10012 You are receiving this email because you are subscribed to the SI:AM newsletter. You can unsubscribe here  . Privacy Policy – Terms & Conditions © 2026 Sports Publishing Solutions Inc. All rights reserved. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC. All betting and gambling content included in the SI:AM newsletter is intended for individuals 21+ (18+ in DC, KY, NH, RI, and WY). Betting and gambling content, including picks and predictions, are based on individual commentators' opinions and we do not guarantee any success or profits. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER or texting 800GAM. Click this link to view the newsletter in your browser.