Joe Sakic collected two goals and two assists as Canada captured their first Olympic men's ice hockey gold medal in 50 years with a 5-2 triumph over the United States.

Canada climbed back to the top of the hockey world with a team built by national hero Wayne Gretzky that weathered intense criticism early in the tournament won its final three games to silence the doubters.

Just eight months after leading the Colorado Avalanche to another Stanley Cup championship in the National Hockey League, Sakic figured in all but one of Canada's goals and was named the tournament's most valuable player.

Canada never trailed after Sakic set up Jarome Iginla's goal with 87 seconds left in the opening period.

The United States, bidding for their first gold medal in the sport since the "Miracle on Ice" in 1980, tied it with four and a half minutes to go in the second, but Sakic again came through.

With the Canadians on the power play, he snapped a wrist shot from the left circle through traffic and past goaltender Mike Richter for his third goal of the tournament.

Sakic also picked up an assist on Iginla's insurance goal 16:01 into the final period and sent Canada into delirium with 80 seconds remaining when he beat Richter on a breakaway.