USA Wins Olympic Hockey Final Amid Surge in Betting Activity

The men’s Olympic hockey final between the United States and Canada delivered a dramatic finish on the ice and triggered exceptional engagement across betting markets and prediction platforms worldwide.

Thrilling Olympics Men’s Hockey Final Delivers Gold for USA

Sportsbooks reported that the matchup ranked among the most wagered hockey events in recent memory. At DraftKings, traders noted that activity remained strong despite the early start time in North America. Support for the United States had dominance among American bettors, while Canadian customers backed their national team, as reported by Covers.

A similar pattern emerged at FanDuel where most moneyline tickets favored the Americans. The overtime winner forced the operator to settle most of those wagers in favor of US backers, highlighting how the late goal had an influence on the financial outcome for bookmakers.

The contest ended 2–1 after extra time, securing the United States its first Olympic men’s hockey gold medal since 1980. The winning strike came in sudden-death play, ending a tense contest that had been tied after regulation. Goaltending proved decisive throughout, with the American netminder making several essential stops to keep the score level before the final breakthrough.

Prediction Markets Join Sportsbooks in Olympic Hockey Betting Frenzy

Canadian-focused operators experienced a different financial picture. Heavy national support led to substantial exposure during live betting when Canada’s odds lengthened after conceding. According to trading desks, patriotic betting patterns were evident from the opening faceoff through overtime, though the US victory limited losses.

Pre-tournament futures markets also illustrated the rivalry’s pull. At BetMGM, Canada had entered the Games as a narrow favorite, drawing a significant share of early bets. However, as the United States advanced, momentum in wagering shifted, and betting began to tilt toward the eventual champions.

Interest stretched past traditional sportsbooks. Prediction markets logged heavy trading volume in the hours before puck drop. Platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket saw millions of dollars in contracts exchanged, reflecting uncertainty about the outcome of what many considered a near coin-flip matchup. Meanwhile, blockchain-linked analytics circulated by Binance indicated overall trading tied to the event had climbed well into eight-figure territory.

Past the numbers, the final reinforced the lasting appeal of international hockey. Analysts believe the game’s intensity and dramatic finish could fuel further fan interest as the professional season continues, while also building anticipation for future global tournaments featuring the sport’s biggest stars.