Mike Tirico wraps up the NBC broadcast of the USA's gold medal victory over Canada in men's hockey at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. Credit: NBC Credit: NBC
By Matt Clapp on

It’s been an incredible two weeks of work for Mike Tirico. After calling his first Super Bowl LX for NBC, he left for Italy the next day to serve as the network’s primetime host for the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. And he capped it all off with a masterclass to wrap up NBC’s broadcast of the USA-Canada men’s hockey gold medal game on Sunday.

The USA won a gold medal in men’s hockey for the first time since the “Miracle on Ice” in 1980, with a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory over Canada. After the game ended and the on-ice ceremonies took place, Tirico delivered a live essay on NBC with a heartfelt message to close out the broadcast.

NBC Sports shared a social media clip showing a minute of Tirico’s commentary.

And we have transcribed much of Tirico’s closing message here:

“So, 1960, just outside of Lake Tahoe, California, and 1980 in Lake Placid, New York, is in North America, in the United States, where the U.S. won those gold medals,” Tirico said. “And because of a drought that almost lasted a half-century, those teams are revered. They are held onto forever. And what happened today doesn’t take away from the greatness of those teams, or the meaning that those teams have in U.S. hockey.

“But what you saw today was the build of a generation, inspired perhaps by that team that lost in 2010 in Vancouver to the Sidney Crosby golden goal in overtime, or the team where T.J. Oshie had all those shootout goals in 2014. That’s when these guys were doing what you’re doing, watching on TV, and they were young, and they were living the dream.

“So, for all the young people out there, not just the hockey, but all the Olympics you’ve watched, those dreams are formed now. Go chase them and go get them, because our country loves sports, and it brings us together unlike anything else. And if you didn’t know that, and if you haven’t been watching the last two weeks, you saw it in Team USA Hockey winning the gold over their arch rival Canada here in Milan to wrap up these 25th Olympic Winter Games.”

“The Hughes brothers,” Tirico continued. “We know family is so much a part of your lives and sports. The Hughes brothers grew up as kids with a dream. The trio have all become first-round picks in the National Hockey League. And the two oldest got to live their dreams and have magical moments. Quinn Hughes in overtime against Sweden in the quarterfinals, and his brother, a few teeth down, bloodied, undeterred, the U.S. hockey brotherhood defied by Jack Hughes. The winning goal that will be remembered forever and set the chants of ‘USA’ resonating through this building.

“And that team, that group, who knew how good the Canadian team was, who’ve gone up against these guys every night in the National Hockey League, know what they’ve done. They’ve laid a marker down for hockey in America.

“And Connor Hellebuyck, with a save of a lifetime. If Connor Hellebuyck has a fireplace, and there’s a mantle to hang a picture over, that is it. And that picture will last forever for goalies in America for that save. And he should be the one carrying the flag, because he carried the team in this gold medal game.

“The memory of Johnny Gaudreau touches all. And was not far. His jersey hung in that locker room every game of this Olympics. All six wins for the U.S. It’s proudly displayed like the flag.

“And 46 years ago today, Mike Eruzione called everybody up on that small platform for that moment in Lake Placid to be joined together in celebration of American gold. 46 years to the day, the U.S. together, arm in arm, listening to the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ with American pride.

“From Milan, Italy, bringing a nation together in the name of sport, and spirit, and success. United States, two. Canada, one, in overtime. The U.S. wins the gold medal.”

Tirico received enormous praise from NBC viewers after delivering his monologue. Here’s a sampling of the reactions on social media:

Tirico was named Awful Announcing’s best play-by-play announcer in 2025, and the last two weeks showed that he’s also elite in the hosting role.

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor/writer at The Comeback and Awful Announcing.

He can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.

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