Neither a historic blizzard nor a late night of drinking in Miami could stop Team USA from getting to Washington DC to celebrate their first Olympic gold medal in men's hockey since 1980.
As seen in video and photographs obtained by the Daily Mail, the American men left their South Beach hotel for the nation's capital at 9am despite returning to their rooms just five hours earlier. Several Team USA stars, including Buffalo's Tage Thompson and Toronto's Auston Matthews were spotted in matching Team USA sweaters and blue Nikes. Most importantly, the players had their Olympic gold medals and some sorely needed coffee.
Between landing in Miami on Monday, after their flight was diverted to South Florida by snowstorms along the Atlantic Coast, Team USA stars checked into 1 Hotel South Beach and promptly went up to the rooftop pool, where they took photos with fans and enjoyed a few beers.
Hours later they were spotted smoking cigars in the 1 Hotel lobby before heading out for a night in Miami Beach, where onlookers were gathered to catch a glimpse of the gold medalists. As the Daily Mail has learned, there was even a crowd of supporters outside the hotel as the players boarded a double-decker bus for their evening festivities.
From there, the players enjoyed dinner at COTE Miami followed by a few drinks at E11EVEN Miami.
By 4am, the players were back at their hotel before doing their best to be out by 9am for their departing flight to Washington and a meeting with President Donald Trump.
As previously reported by the Daily Mail, players sprayed champagne over themselves and revelers, smoked cigars and sang 'The Star Spangled Banner' at E11EVEN.
When asked if the players are jet lagged, a source told Daily Mail: 'F* no. They're hockey players. They get their teeth banged out. They're on adrenaline and on a high.'
Footage and images captured from inside E11EVEN by Daily Mail shows the players letting loose as the DJ blasted out Americana and country music.
It's understood the festivities led to a $150,000 bar bill with vast amounts of E11EVEN Vodka, Armand de Brignac champagne and Dame Más tequila consumed. Players could be seen pouring booze into fans' mouths as they danced from the stage above.
At one stage, they played a replay of Hughes' iconic overtime goal that secured victory against the Canadians. The clip was greeted with huge roars from the crowd inside the club.
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who stopped 41 shots in a remarkable individual performance against the Canadians, was given the microphone to address the crowd.
The players finally started to depart the nightclub around 3am ET.