After regulation play at Thursday’s game in Pyeongchang ended with a tie at 2, the U.S. and defending gold medal winner Canada went into a 20 minute overtime, then a shootout.
Star forward Gigi Marvin scored the first of three goals for the U.S. in the six rounds of the penalty shootout. Ultimately, Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson’s deceptively clever shot on Canada made for the final goal, and Canada couldn’t get another puck past 20-year-old U.S. goalie Maddie Rooney.
“We just crushed the fear and crushed the doubt and just trusted in what was to come,” Marvin said in an interview with People magazine. “We’re so resilient, we have such an amazing group.”
Helmets, gloves and hockey sticks flew in the air as the teammates piled on one another and celebrated their win.
Even sweeter is the fact that the victory came on the 38th anniversary of another US hockey milestone, the men’s team’s 1980 “Miracle on Ice” win over the Soviet Union at the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. Good things happen for hockey on February 22.
As for Marvin, it’s an added benefit that she’s trusted God throughout her Olympics journey. In an interview with Sports Spectrum’s Jason Romano, Marvin quoted Jeremiah 29:11 and credited God as her hope in the midst of uncertainty: “Every time I just come back and see God’s faithfulness. ‘Just trust in me, Gigi! Keep living this, and trusting Me. I have your life in My hands.’”
Josiah (left) and Jaccob Slavin of the Carolina Hurricanes, April 11, 2026. (Photo via X/@Canes)
Not a bad week for star Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin.
On Tuesday, he put home an overtime game-winner for Carolina’s 50th win of the season, just the fifth 50-win season in franchise history. It marked his first goal of the season. As a defenseman, he doesn’t typically add a ton of offense for the Hurricanes, but injuries have limited him to only 39 games this season, the fewest of his 11-year career.
On Thursday, the 31-year-old was given a night off to rest as the Canes played in Chicago, but a Slavin was still on the ice. Jaccob’s 27-year-old younger brother, Josiah, made his debut for Carolina. It was his first NHL action since 2022, when he played for Chicago.
Then on Friday, the Hurricanes announced that Jaccob had been named the team’s nominee for the 2025-26 King Clancy Memorial Trophy, which honors the player “who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.” Jaccob has long been active in supporting organizations such as International Justice Mission, Compassion International, the Raleigh Dream Center, the Raleigh Rescue Mission, and the Carolina Hurricanes Foundation.
But Saturday was the ultimate highlight. Jaccob was back in action, as was Josiah, and for the first time in the NHL, the brothers took the ice for the same team.
“Just pure joy,” Jaccob said during a first-intermission interview. “I mean, obviously, growing up together, played a lot of mini sticks together, played a lot of backyard hockey together. But, to finally be able to be here in the NHL with him — that’s just joy. It’s awesome — thankful for this opportunity.”
“It’s been nothing but awesome,” Josiah said. “I mean, he’s been five years older than me, so I’ve been catching up pretty much my whole life. Just to get this opportunity is nothing but special.”
"Close-knit family, we all love Jesus, and we're just happy to be here together" Both Jaccob and Josiah Slavin joined to discuss things in a very special first intermission interview#CarolinaCulture#TusksUp#NHLpic.twitter.com/wGHzuOMRxg
Jaccob tallied an assist in 26 minutes, 54 seconds of ice time, while Josiah, a left wing, logged 14:04 as Carolina defeated the Mammoth in Utah, 4-1, for its 52nd win of the year. Heading into Monday’s matchups, the Hurricanes own the best record in the Eastern Conference (52-22-6).
Their parents, Robert and Wendi, and older sister, Jordan, also traveled to Utah to take in the special moment in person, though brothers Justin and Jeremiah were unable to make the trip.
“We have a close-knit family,” Jaccob said. “We all love Jesus, and we’re just happy to be here together.”
Robert echoed those thoughts when he and his wife were interviewed for the Canes’ broadcast as well.
“Five kids that love the Lord and they’re always there for each other, no matter what happens,” Robert said.
Josiah’s time with Carolina was short-lived, however, as he was sent on Sunday back to the Chicago Wolves, the minor league affiliate of the Hurricanes. In 66 games this season with the Wolves, he has registered 25 points (six goals, 19 assists).
No matter where he’s playing, though, Josiah will continue pointing teammates to the Lord. He said in December that he’s leading a discipleship group amongst the Wolves, and they have up to 13 guys attending the team chapels, with five or six also going to church together when their schedule allows.
Undoubtedly, he’s taken a cue from his older brother, who’s long been one of the most outspoken Christ-followers in the NHL. With the platform Jaccob’s been given through hockey, even his time with the recent U.S. Olympic hockey team, he’s given glory to God.
He suffered a lower-body injury in preseason training that forced him to miss 29 regular-season games. He came back for two games before an upper-body injury knocked him out for another 10 games. For a time, it was questionable whether he’d be able to play in the Olympics.
“I just look at it with gratitude,” he said in February, after Team USA won gold. “… Just thankful for God, and protecting me while I was over there, but also through this season with the injuries that I had at the beginning of the year. Just trusting His timing with it all, and getting to a spot where I was healthy enough to go and play. So, again, I look at it with gratitude.”
In March, Jaccob returned to the Sports Spectrum Podcast and touched on the mantra many athletes say about praising God in the good and the bad. He was asked about why we should do that.
“I think the biggest reason why, as a Christian athlete, is we look at what Jesus did on the cross,” Jaccob said. “Going into a game, we know that we are sinners saved by grace. So we’re playing from the identity of, ‘All right, I’m out here as a chosen vessel of God to glorify God.’ And whether you’re in the office working, whether it’s a sport you’re playing, whether you’re a stay-at-home mom, that is where God has you, so you’re going to do your work for God’s glory. So the reason why is because He’s worthy of it.
“One thing I’ve always prayed before games is: Christ died for me so I’m going to play for Him. If He was willing to give His life for me, I feel like the least I can do is play for Him with the platform He’s given me, the abilities He’s given me, and really just glorify and honor Him through the sport of hockey, or through loving my wife, parenting my kids, whatever it is.”
With two games remaining in the regular season, Slavin and the Hurricanes are looking to match the franchise-best win total of 54.
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Owen Power, Feb. 25, 2026 (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II).
For much of this season, the numbers haven’t told the full story for Owen Power.
One of the top defenseman for the Buffalo Sabres and a former No. 1 overall pick, the 23-year-old endured a 24-game goal drought earlier this year — an unusual outlier even for a blueliner, who typically isn’t counted on to produce like a forward. Statistically, with only 19 points through 60 games, it hasn’t been a banner season for Power.
But it’s shaping up to be a strong year for the Sabres. After a 5-8-4 start through Nov. 13, Buffalo caught fire, winning 10 straight to close out 2025. The surge vaulted it into second place in the Eastern Conference’s Atlantic Division, and the squad has now won 10 of its past 13 games and four in a row since the Olympic break as it pushes toward what would be the franchise’s first playoff appearance since 2011.
And Power insists he’s playing the best hockey of his career.
“You look at the numbers, it probably doesn’t say that,” he told the Olean (N.Y.) Times Herald following a February practice. “But being out there, the feel I have, I feel like I’m playing better than I have in years prior. And when you’re winning, everyone looks a lot better.”
For Power, the difference has been confidence — and details.
“I think I’m using my feet a lot better (than) what I have, and with that, I think my defending comes a lot easier when I’m able to use my feet defending rather than just kind of using my stick,” he told the Times Herald. “So I think that’s kind of been a big thing. I’ve been able to close guys quicker and have tighter gaps. When you do that, the game’s a lot easier.”
— Buffalo Hockey Moments (@SabresPlays) March 4, 2026
His steadiness has mirrored Buffalo’s turnaround. Following a 3-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday — in which Power scored on a deflection, his fifth goal of the season — he credited the group’s resilience after the long break for the Olympics.
“The rest was big,” he told reporters. “But I think we did a good job of coming back and just continuing to roll and play confident, so it’s definitely nice to come out and win four straight. Hopefully we keep it rolling.”
While his on-ice growth has been evident, Power says the most important transformation in his life has been his relationship with God. Raised in a Catholic family, he was around church growing up, but his faith was more routine than relationship.
He attended on “the big holidays,” he said, mostly to “check it off the box.” It wasn’t until before college that he began attending a Bible study. When he arrived at Michigan, that habit continued. There, he also met his future wife, whom he credits with helping lead him into a deeper walk with Christ.
That foundation became especially important once hockey success — and the contract that followed — arrived, especially when it can be easy for athletes to let their identity get wrapped up in the money and fame of pro sports.
“One thing I realized pretty quickly is I signed that contract, and you realize right away that this doesn’t change how happy you are at all,” he said on the podcast. “If anything, it comes with more temptations and ability to live with more selfish desires.”
He believes God has given him those things for a reason, and he’s ready to embrace that. But using his platform to talk about his faith is not something that comes naturally.
“I’m not the most comfortable doing it,” he told Sports Spectrum, “but I think especially in the last couple of years, I’ve kind of had the opportunity to do different things that have allowed me to come out of my shell and be able to spread the Gospel to different people around the community. It’s something I know I need to do better at, and I know God has given me a platform to use.”
Like the saying goes: Giving to others often has a way of returning the favor.
“When you’re able to go and spread the Gospel, even if it’s just getting to one person, it’s some of the most fulfilling work you can do,” he said. “I think it brings a ton of joy to my life.”
The Sabres get back on the ice Thursday in Pittsburgh to face the Penguins at 7 p.m. ET.
U.S. hockey players Jaccob Slavin (left) and Tage Thompson. (AP Photos)
The United States is partying like it’s 1980.
For the first time since the memorable “Miracle on Ice” team at Lake Placid, New York, the American men took home the hockey gold medal at the Winter Olympics with a 2-1 overtime victory against Canada in Milan, Italy.
With NHL players participating in the Games for the first time since 2014, stars littered the ice as the bitter rivals played to a 1-1 tie at the end of regulation. Matt Boldy of the Minnesota Wild got the United States on the board first with an incredible goal six minutes in, then Canada responded toward the end of the second period with a goal from Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche. The teams dueled to a scoreless third period, which set up the heroics that ensued.
Streaking down the left side of the ice toward the goal, American Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils — missing two front teeth from a high stick earlier in the game — received a pass and in one seamless motion zipped a shot into the far corner of the net to send the United States into a frenzy.
It was the United States’ second overtime winner in this Olympics; Jack Hughes’ brother, Quinn, also netted a game-winning goal in overtime against Sweden in the quarterfinal round. Although the United States and Canada have faced off in the gold-medal match eight times at the Winter Olympics, Sunday’s triumph was just the second U.S. victory (1960 was the other).
Among the Americans flinging their gloves in the air in celebration of Hughes’ goal on Sunday was Jaccob Slavin of the Carolina Hurricanes and Tage Thompson of the Buffalo Sabres. Slavin was +1 during his time on the ice Sunday while Thompson accumulated a team-leading four shots on goal. Slavin, a defenseman, and Thompson, a center, were both crucial to Team USA’s run. Slavin provided stout defense throughout the trek to the goal medal while Thompson recorded goals against Latvia, Germany and Slovakia.
Slavin and Thompson are also bonded by something much deeper than even a national allegiance. Both are also professing believers in Jesus Christ and have appeared as guests on the Sports Spectrum Podcast. Slavin has appeared multiple times, speaking about just how important Jesus is to him during an October 2024 episode.
“[Jesus is] everything,” he said. “He’s Lord of my life. If He’s not Lord of everything, He’s not Lord at all. He’s a gracious Friend. I live my life because of Him and what He did for me. My purpose in life, my purpose in my marriage, my purpose of being a father, it’s all to glorify Him because He’s worthy of that glory.”
The 31-year-old has spent his entire 11-year career in Carolina, making the playoffs for the past seven (and likely eight) and earning a spot in the All-Star Game in 2020. Even more important to him, however, is winning the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 2020-21 and 2023-24, awarded annually to the player who’s best demonstrated “sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.”
“Out of all the awards that I’d want to win, that’s the one I feel like means the most to me because that exemplifies how I try to carry myself, how I try to live. And I do that by trying to represent Jesus the best I can,” he said on the podcast. “An award like that — having good sportsmanship, being a gentleman in a violent game — I’m thankful the Lord has given me the temperament that I have and He’s led me by His Spirit. People may not know it, but what they’re seeing is Jesus through me.”
Like Slavin, the 28-year-old Thompson has also appeared once in the NHL All-Star Game (2023), and he also grew up hearing about the things of God. And at around the age of 13, Jesus revealed to Thompson his need for a personal relationship with Him.
“That’s where my faith really started to turn,” Thompson said on the podcast in July 2023, “from just going through the motions and a title of being a Christian to understanding the actual relationship part of walking with Christ and the sacrifice that He made for all of us.”
He also explained the immense freedom he’s felt from the years-long process of learning to submit to God’s plan for his life.
“I think when you take a step back,” Thompson said, “and realize that God’s in control and He has a plan for you and His plan is far better than anything that we could ever imagine (Ephesians 3:20), you just kind of give it over to Him and sit back and enjoy the ride.”
Both Slavin and Thompson have certainly enjoyed the ride to the gold medal together as teammates representing the United States. But now, just like that, the two become competitors once again in a challenging Eastern Conference. Carolina (36-15-6) is second in the East while Buffalo (32-19-6) is sixth.
After its 20-day break for the Olympics, NHL games resume on Wednesday.
U.S. bobsledders Elana Meyers Taylor, right, and her brakewoman Jadin O'Brien at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Fresh off of her first-ever gold medal, to go with her five other Olympic medals, Elana Meyers Taylor is once again in position to add to her legacy. She won the monobob event at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Cortina, Italy, on Monday, and is set for the two-woman bobsled competition on Friday and Saturday alongside brakewoman Jadin O’Brien.
But, the pair’s push for another medal nearly ended in tragic fashion before it ever started.
During a January training run ahead of a World Cup race in Switzerland, Meyers Taylor and O’Brien were involved in a violent crash. Their sled lost control, slammed into the wall multiple times and flipped. O’Brien was ejected from the sled, flipped in the air, landed on her back and slid down the ice. She thought she was paralyzed.
Meyers Taylor continued down the track in the sled, and only a small weight plate, installed the week prior, kept her from being impaled by one of the sled’s axles. Even for Meyers Taylor — a veteran of more than 20 years in the sport — the crash stood out.
“Elana has been doing bobsled for 20 years, and she said that was one of the most violent, horrific crashes she’s ever seen or been a part of,” O’Brien, a former track and field national champion at Notre Dame, told Notre Dame Magazine earlier this month.
O’Brien eventually regained feeling, and hospital X-rays showed no broken bones. That was enough for her to know she was good.
“I knew that in order to make it to the Olympics, the more data the coaches have on you, the better,” O’Brien said. “And I also knew that the odds of me getting another race were very slim.”
Her path to this point has been anything but typical, but it’s a path marked by perseverance. She won three NCAA titles in the pentathlon and another in the heptathlon at Notre Dame before being recruited to the sport of bobsled by Meyers Taylor.
The 41-year-old Meyers Taylor, one of the most accomplished athletes in her sport, is also the most decorated Black athlete in Winter Olympic history. She entered these Olympics with three silver medals and two bronze medals, then added to her trove on Monday, and is hunting for yet another alongside O’Brien. They are considered medal contenders.
“Her being a Christian strengthens our bond and gives us a competitive edge over other pilot-brakeman combinations,” O’Brien told the National Catholic Register earlier this month. “Faith is our extra tool.”
Meyers Taylor came to faith during her time as a softball player at George Washington University and was baptized in 2013 alongside her husband, Nic.
“God put me here for a specific reason, and I don’t think it’s just to win medals,” Meyers Taylor said in a 2014 interview with Athletes in Action. “At the end of the day, I’m in this sport to glorify God, so if that means I come in last place or I win the gold medal, that’s what I’m going to do.”
O’Brien shares Meyers Taylor’s sentiments.
“By having that mindset and having that as my focus honestly alleviates a lot of the pressure that comes with competing at a very high level,” she said during a Notre Dame Women For Good event. “The reason I’m competing no longer becomes for my glory, but it becomes for Someone bigger.”
Long before she reached the Olympic stage, O’Brien faced a serious health challenge. As an infant, she contracted strep throat, but the infection lingered and eventually developed into Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS), impacting multiple organs and severely affecting her mental and emotional health.
“I went from being a happy, light, silly little girl to a shadow of a human,” she said in a Notre Dame documentary titled “Offering It Up.” “I was not there.”
For a period of time, she battled fear and intrusive thoughts, unsure what her future would hold.
“There was a time when she didn’t think she’d even be alive to go to college,” her mother, Leslie, said in the documentary.
Over time, O’Brien’s health improved, so much so that she became one of the top collegiate multi-event track and field athletes in the country.
“I have learned to never underestimate myself again,” she said as the camera panned to her NCAA trophies and medals. “Each of these tells a story. It’s a story of grit. It’s a story of overcoming the odds.”
That same approach showed up this bobsledding season, when she was recruited to the sport by Meyers Taylor. As a brakewoman in a deep field, O’Brien was only guaranteed one race, in Latvia in December.
“If I didn’t perform well at that one race, I would have no more race opportunities,” she told Notre Dame Magazine. “So whatever chance you get, you kind of have to take it and prove yourself.”
She did just that, teaming with Meyers Taylor for a fourth-place finish in an 18-team field. The result earned them another opportunity — the one that nearly ended in disaster.
Instead, it became part of their story of God’s sustaining grace. Together, they have reached the Olympics, and a medal is staring them in the face. Both Meyers Taylor and O’Brien are staring back with the eyes of faith.
“If you think too far ahead in the future, it’s easy to get distracted,” O’Brien told the National Catholic Register. “Handing all those worries and anxieties over to God and tackling one thing at a time helps you accomplish incredible things.”
