NBC’s crew calling the U.S.-Canada gold medal men’s hockey game is drawing mostly positive reactions on social media following the OT thriller. Here is a sample of the posts:
- The Bergen Record’s Art Stapleton: “Put respect on @KennyAlbert’s name. His call of the women’s golden goal was once in a lifetime. He just delivered again days later. One of the best of his generation.“
- SiriusXM’s Damon Amendolara: “Kenny Albert has been excellent capturing the excitement and urgency of this game. His energy has matched the moment. #Olympics2026.”
- Atlanta-based WZGC-FM’s Mike Conti: “Kenny Albert, who is among the absolute hardest workers in our industry, has been at his absolute best in this game.”
- Mets radio announcer Howie Rose: “However this turns out, Kenny Albert, Eddie Olczyk and Brian Boucher are putting on a hockey broadcasting clinic.”
- Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor: “Mike Tirico is amazing. He goes from calling NBA games to the Super Bowl to the Olympics. And he does it all flawlessly. What a talent.”
- Cincinnati-based WLW-AM’s Lance McAlister: “Mike Tirico sounds like he knows everything, without talking like he knows everything. If that makes sense. So damn smooth, comfortable, and well rounded.”
- CBS Sports’ Tracy Wolfson: “Just rewatched the men’s hockey gold medal game. From start to finish, from the pictures to the commentary, the game winning goal to Hellebuyck’s saves, the storylines, the brothers, the tribute to Gaudreau, the ceremony and Mike Tirico’s wrap up of it all- it was just perfect.”
- Rick Reilly: “Shout out to Kenny Albert on play by play and Mike Tirico with a flawless live essay at the end of the #USAHockey gold medal. Two superb performances that rose to the moment. #Olympics2026"
Tirico’s closing monologue drew particular praise.
- Seth Davis: “This might be the finest 60 seconds in the history of sports broadcasting. No prompter, no stumbling, no uhhs and you knows. Met the moment with big picture historical context in a way that connected it to the viewer. Not too understated or overly flowery. Just pitch perfect.”
- Fox’s Mike Mulvihill: “Mike Tirico’s lovely monologue to close out the epic gold medal game shows how the way we think about the core appeal of sports has changed, and for the better IMO. More than ever it’s about bringing people together and inspiring kids. Bring on the World Cup.”
- Syracuse.com’s Brent Axe: “Tirico has nailed the Jim McKay/Bob Costas role as Olympics host. This sign off captured the moment so well.”
NBC announced before faceoff that the game would be shown without commercial interruption during play on both NBC and Peacock.
The final viewership number could be impacted by the start time, with the game being played at 8:10am ET to avoid a conflict with the closing ceremony. Many fans posted on social media that they had gotten up earlier to watch the game.
Here are the top Olympic hockey audiences ahead of today for NBC Sports via SBJ’s Austin Karp:
- 2010: Gold Medal: USA-CAN, 27.6 million
- 2002: Gold Medal: USA-CAN, 17.1M
- 2002: Group Stage: USA-RUS, 11.1M
- 2026: Semi: USA-Slovakia, 8.3M
- 2010: Group Stage: USA-CAN, 8.2M
- 2010: Group Stage: RUS-CZE, 8.2M (SBJ).
