The crack of dawn on the East Coast couldn't stop two of the world's biggest stars from witnessing history. While his brother Jason and sister-in-law Kylie Kelce were in Italy soaking up the Olympic atmosphere, Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift were glued to their screens back home for a morning hockey classic they couldn't miss.
"So Epic, Man": Kelce's Morning Thrill Ride
On the latest episode of the New Heights podcast, Travis Kelce gave fans a peek into his viewing party for the men's ice hockey gold medal game. "Me and Tay watched the entire game and it's just so epic, man," the Kansas City Chiefs star exclaimed. He described being on the edge of his seat from the opening faceoff at 8:10 a.m., captivated by the non-stop action of the historic clash between the United States and Canada.
The victory carried extra sentimental weight for the Kelce family. Travis revealed the game coincided with his father Ed's birthday, making the American triumph a perfect gift. "What more fitting for the big guy on his birthday," Travis said, calling the gold medal win a celebration for his dad.
Hughes Delivers Golden Moment in Overtime
The game itself was a masterpiece of international rivalry. After a tense, scoreless first period, the United States struck first in the second with a goal from Matt Boldy. Canada's Cale Makar answered later, knotting the game at 1-1 and setting the stage for a white-knuckle finish through a scoreless third period.
The drama escalated in sudden-death 3-on-3 overtime. With American goaltender Connor Hellebuyck standing tall—making a heroic 41 saves throughout the contest—the stage was set for a hero. Just 1:41 into the extra frame, Jack Hughes became that hero, burying a pass from Zach Werenski to send the United States into a frenzy with a 2-1 victory.
Ending a 46-Year Drought
The win was monumental, snapping a 46-year gold medal drought for USA men's hockey dating back to the legendary "Miracle on Ice" in Lake Placid in 1980. The significance was amplified by the return of NHL players to the Olympic stage for the first time since 2014, making the 2026 tournament in Milan-Cortina one of the most competitive fields ever assembled.
Team USA completed its run undefeated, finally overcoming a Canadian squad chasing its tenth Olympic title. The Americans weathered a late Canadian push that forced overtime, but ultimately, Hughes's magic sealed the deal. The victory also completed a historic American sweep of hockey gold, as the U.S. women's team topped the podium earlier in the Games.
A Celebration Felt From Rinkside to Living Rooms
The triumph sparked celebrations from the ice in Italy to living rooms across America. For players like brothers Quinn and Jack Hughes, who embraced in an iconic celebration photo, it was the culmination of a lifetime of work. For fans like Kelce and Swift, it was an unforgettable way to start the day.
The game's legacy extends beyond the medal. It reaffirmed the intense USA-Canada hockey rivalry on its biggest stage and marked a new golden chapter for American hockey, proving the nation can dominate the sport at its highest level with its best players available. It was a morning of edge-of-your-seat action that even superstars wouldn't dare miss.
