U.S. hockey star Jack Hughes signed his name in the book of history on Sunday. Despite being suffocated by Canada during the gold-medal game in the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, Team USA survived, forced overtime and dramatically won the game.

Hughes scored at 61:41 to give the team the win and the gold medal after 46 years. The New Jersey Devils center revealed who was the first person he thought of after making history for Team USA.

MORE: Dylan Larkin gives touching Gaudreau family tribute after USA’s Olympic gold medal

Fittingly, he mentioned Megan Keller, who gave Team USA women’s hockey the gold medal against Canada on Thursday. He gave the team a 2-1 lead, too, after captain Hilary Knight sent the game into overtime.

Jackie Redmon of the NHL Network asked Hughes who he thought of first after scoring the game-sealing goal.

MORE: USA vs Canada gold medal result, full list of goal scorers

Jack Hughes went viral with bloody interview following Team USA’s win over Canada

Jack Hughes was brilliant and passionate during the gold-medal game. The center spoke with NBC Sports reporter Kathryn Tappen in a viral moment. As he spoke about his love for the country, Hughes had a bloody lip and missing teeth.

“This is all about our country right now,” Hughes said after the victory. “I love the USA, I love my teammates … the USA hockey brotherhood is so strong. I’m so proud to be American tonight.”

Team USA pulled off a big win against the Sidney Crosby-less Canada. They faced off against Connor McDavid, but the Edmonton Oilers star failed to get the job done, adding to a grim streak when it comes to collective trophies.

Hughes and Keller made history with their gold-medal game performances, and Team USA went two for two in the Olympic hockey tournaments.

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —

OLYMPICS: Team USA flag bearers revealed for 2026 Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony

NFL: Predicting the 2026 NFL free agent signings

MLB: Detroit Tigers drop unreal alternate jerseys for 2026 MLB season

NBA: Charlotte Hornets share update after LaMelo Ball’s car crash

NHL: 2026 Winter Olympics men’s hockey, NHL payrolls for final four teams

SPORTS MEDIA: Olympics reporter apologizes for drinking, slurring words during live segment

The post USA hockey hero Jack Hughes shouts out Megan Keller after Olympic gold medal win appeared first on The Big Lead.

U.S. star Alysa Liu arrived at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games as a popular figure. However, she ended her Olympic journey on a different stratosphere.

Liu, 20, earned plenty of fans in Italy. Two years after returning to the sport, she won two gold medals at the ultimate event. Liu won the team event with Team USA before finishing third in the short program. Liu won gold to go two for two in the Olympics.

MORE: White House trolls Canada after Team USA Olympic gold medal win

In the middle of it, Liu’s popularity skyrocketed. She entered the games with 210K Instagram followers. At the time of writing, Liu has 3.7 million followers on the platform. She cleared Russia’s Alexandra “Sasha” Vyacheslavovna as the most-followed figure skater on Instagram. Sasha had 1.8 million followers until Liu arrived.

MORE: Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo sets record for most gold medals at a single Winter Olympics

Alysa Liu on whether she is a role model

With millions of new fans joining her, Alysa Liu will have many eyes on her now. While other Olympians with large fan bases, namely Jutta Leerdam, have embraced being an inspiration for young girls, Liu has rejected the notion that she is a role model.

“I don’t know if I really want to be a role model, I would say,” Liu told USA Today. “But I guess I am. So if anything, I just urge people to spend time with themselves, try new things, different things, just to gain experience, and then decide for themselves what they want to do.

“Taking breaks is OK, and yeah, sometimes taking a step back is what’s needed to see the full picture.”

She is only 20, and has a bright future. Only time will tell how many followers she has when the next Winter Olympics begin.

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —

OLYMPICS: Team USA flag bearers revealed for 2026 Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony

NFL: Predicting the 2026 NFL free agent signings

MLB: Detroit Tigers drop unreal alternate jerseys for 2026 MLB season

NBA: Charlotte Hornets share update after LaMelo Ball’s car crash

NHL: 2026 Winter Olympics men’s hockey, NHL payrolls for final four teams

SPORTS MEDIA: Olympics reporter apologizes for drinking, slurring words during live segment

The post USA star Alysa Liu Instagram skyrockets after Olympic game appeared first on The Big Lead.