Jack Wallace recorded a hat trick as the United States defeated Canada 6–2 in Milano, securing its fifth consecutive Paralympic gold medal in para ice hockey.

“Five straight is kind of crazy,” captain Josh Pauls said after coming off the ice following the gold medal game at the 2026 Paralympics. “You don’t ever set out to do that.”

For nearly two decades, the United States and Canada have defined the standard in international para ice hockey. Their matchups have repeatedly determined Paralympic and world championship titles, and Canada’s last Paralympic gold came in 2006 in Torino. On Sunday night in Milano, the rivalry once again played out on the sport’s biggest stage.

“Canada pushed us to our limit, you know,” said eventual Media All Star Most Valuable Player Declan Farmer.

In front of a Paralympic-record crowd of 10,564 at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena — surpassing the attendance mark set earlier in the tournament — the Americans delivered another championship performance.

“It was pretty incredible seeing that many people in the stands,” two-time Paralympian Wallace said. “It just shows how much the sport is growing.”

Special Teams Set The Tone

Wallace opened the scoring midway through the first period. Taking a pass from Declan Farmer near the right face off circle, he drove a shot past Canadian goaltender Adam Kingsmill to give the United States a 1–0 lead.

Much of the pregame focus centered on Farmer and how Canada might try to limit his impact. Head coach David Hoff said the Americans anticipated that attention and knew others would need to step forward. Farmer was eventually named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player by the Media.

“When you’re going through the notes and thinking about how teams might try to make it hard for Declan, you know someone else has to step up,” Hoff said. “Jack answered the call tonight.”

Farmer said Wallace’s performance reflected the trust built throughout the team.

“Jack’s been huge for us,” Farmer said. “When teams focus on shutting down one line or one player, someone else steps up, and tonight that was him.”

Wallace was later named the tournament’s Best Defenseman, while Farmer received the directorate award as the tournament’s Best Forward.

Canada responded early in the second period. Cheered on by the home crowd, Liam Hickey gathered the puck near the outside edge of the faceoff circle and beat Griffin LaMarre to tie the game.

Beasley Restores The Lead

The Americans answered just over four minutes later.

Kayden Beasley intercepted a pass and quickly snapped a shot into the net, restoring the U.S. lead and quieting the crowd.

“It’s really cool to get the energy back up,” the first-time Paralympian Beasley said. “It was getting a little low, so it was really cool to be able to do that.”

For Beasley’s family, the moment carried special meaning.

“He’s worked so hard to get here,” said Beasley’s parents, Amy and Anthony. “Seeing him score on this stage is just unbelievable for our family. It’s pretty incredible.”

The United States extended its lead minutes later when Wallace finished a scoring chance after the puck worked through traffic in the slot.

Later in the period, sustained offensive pressure produced Wallace’s third goal. After a rebound dropped near the crease, he found the puck and buried it to complete the hat trick.

Canada answered late in the second period when Hickey scored his second goal of the game, cutting the deficit to two.

Late Goals Secure The Victory

Trailing 4–2, Canada pushed early in the third period while the United States worked to kill off a penalty.

Instead, the Americans turned the moment into the play that effectively sealed the game. Farmer forced a turnover near the blue line, pushed the puck into open ice and finished the breakaway to extend the lead.

Seconds later, with Canada’s net briefly empty, veteran Brody Roybal added another goal to close the scoring and secure the 6–2 victory.

Special teams proved decisive throughout the tournament and again in the final. The United States converted on the power play, killed off two penalties and added a shorthanded goal.

LaMarre Delivers In Goal

Goaltender Griffin LaMarre stopped 13 shots in the victory. The start marked another significant milestone for LaMarre, who also backstopped the United States to a win over Canada at the 2025 World Para Ice Hockey Championship.

“He’s a high-compete player,” Hoff said. “With where we needed to be tonight, we felt he was the right fit.”

“We played a lot of games where the goalie doesn’t have to make that many saves, added Farmer, “but he had to make some tough scrums today, and he was so good.”

LaMarre admitted the moment was difficult to fully process.

“It was surreal,” LaMarre said. “The fact that they went with me is just awesome to have that kind of vote of confidence.”

Built Over Time

Pauls — who has been on the ice for each of the United States’ five consecutive gold medals — said the run reflects a culture that has been built and sustained within the program over many years.

“To be able to build a culture that’s sustainable — it’s not fluky,” Pauls said.

He said one of the most meaningful parts of the program’s continued success has been watching younger players grow into larger roles.

“Watching Griffin, I mean, he was on the development team for, like, 10 years and really, like, kind of back and forth and wasn’t really sure he’s up and down, said Pauls. “But then to watch the way he’s prepared.”

Paul’s perspective stretches even further back.

“I was on the ice for Jack Wallace’s first time when he was on a sled,” Pauls added. “To watch those guys blossom is the ultimate honor.”

Farmer said the program’s next generation is already emerging.

“We’ve got a lot of young guys coming up. The future of this program is in a really good place,” added Farmer.

Five straight Paralympic gold medals now define the current era of United States para ice hockey — a run shaped by its rivalry with Canada and sustained by a program already looking toward the next generation.