The celebration for USA Hockey's historic gold medal victory has taken an unexpected turn on social media, with attention shifting from the ice to the afterparty. Following their dramatic 2-1 overtime win against Canada—their first men's hockey gold since the "Miracle on Ice" in 1980—the team hit Miami's famed E11EVEN nightclub for a well-deserved victory lap. What happened next has captured the internet's imagination far beyond the rink.
A Night of Celebration in Miami
Fresh off their championship triumph, the U.S. men's hockey team, led by 24-year-old star Jack Hughes, descended upon Miami's vibrant nightlife scene. The mood was electric, a mixture of national pride and pure exhilaration after defeating their northern rivals in a nail-biting final. Hughes captured the team's sentiment perfectly in post-game comments to NBC, stating, "This is all about our country right now. I love the U.S.A. I love my teammates, it's unbelievable. The USA Hockey brotherhood, it's so strong."
The celebration at E11EVEN was a testament to that brotherhood, but it was the company they kept that soon had everyone talking. Social media feeds began flooding with images of the athletes celebrating alongside recognizable faces from the fashion and modeling world, adding a layer of glamour to the sporting triumph.
Models Join the Victory Festivities
The viral moment centers on two women identified as Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue models Xandra Pohl and her friend, Karina Revilla. Photos and videos from the nightclub showed the models enthusiastically celebrating with members of the championship squad, toasting the monumental win. The genuine joy and camaraderie in the images resonated with fans, blending the worlds of elite sport and high-profile modeling in a single, celebratory frame.
However, one particular image has fueled the story's wildfire spread across platforms like Instagram and Twitter. A photograph of Karina Revilla, stunning in a bikini, has been singled out and shared countless times, with commentators noting her confident style. The photo, originally from her own portfolio, has found new life attached to the hockey team's victory narrative, demonstrating how digital moments can converge from different spheres to create a viral sensation.
This intersection of sports triumph and celebrity culture is not uncommon, but the visual punch of the swimsuit photo alongside the fresh, gritty victory of the hockey team has proven particularly potent online. It highlights how modern sports stories often extend beyond the final whistle, encompassing the lifestyle and celebrity associations that come with championship status.
For the U.S. men's team, the party marks a brief, dazzling pause before reality sets back in. With the 2026 NHL season on the horizon, players will soon disperse to their professional clubs, carrying with them the memory of an unforgettable gold and the night that followed. The viral photos ensure that memory—and the celebration—will be shared and remembered by far more than just those who were in the room.
The incident underscores the new reality for athletes in the social media age, where every celebration is a potential global story. While the team's incredible achievement on ice remains the core of their legacy, the viral aftermath in Miami adds a colorful, modern chapter to the tale of their return to the top of the hockey world.
