• Connor Hellebuyck awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Trump.
• Team USA men's hockey secured its first gold medal since 1980 in a dramatic overtime win against Canada.
• The women's hockey team declined to attend the State of the Union due to prior commitments.
• FBI Director Kash Patel faced scrutiny after celebrating with the team post-victory.
• Trump's remarks included humor about inviting the women's team to avoid impeachment.

President Trump awarded Connor Hellebuyck of Team USA the Presidential Medal of Freedom during his State of the Union address, recognizing his pivotal role in the U.S. men's hockey team's recent Olympic gold medal victory. The team won the gold in a thrilling 2-1 overtime match against Canada, marking the first Olympic gold for men's ice hockey since 1980, the year of the famous "Miracle on Ice" against the Soviet Union. Hellebuyck was celebrated for his outstanding performance, particularly his crucial saves throughout the tournament, including stopping 41 of 42 shots in the final game, according to latimes and CBS News.

Trump's announcement came during a celebratory moment where the members of the hockey team received a standing ovation in Congress. The president jokingly stated that he had consulted the team about Hellebuyck's award and humorously noted, "my vote was more important.” The president also expressed his admiration for Hellebuyck, describing him as one of the best goalies he has ever seen, generating more applause. This spectacle highlighted the team's victorious spirit and garnered bipartisan recognition, as echoed in reporting by CBS News and NPR.

Notably, while the men's team celebrated at the White House, the U.S. women's hockey team also achieved gold but declined to attend the State of the Union. They cited "timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments" as reasons for their absence. Trump stated that they would be invited to the White House soon, a gesture met with appreciation but also controversy given their absence from the event, as reported by latimes, CBS News, and NPR.

Amid these celebrations, FBI Director Kash Patel faced backlash for his participation in the men's locker room post-game celebrations. Videos surfaced showing him celebrating, raising eyebrows regarding the use of government resources. Patel defended his presence, claiming the invitation from the team was a personal honor. Democrats have criticized the situation, linking it to concerns about government spending and accountability, according to NPR.