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There wouldn’t be a golden goal moment for Jack Hughes in Milan if it weren’t for the heroics of Team USA goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck, especially on a key save in the second half.
Hellebuyck received praise throughout the contest and immediately after Hughes’ game-winning goal in overtime to capture the first gold medal for the men’s ice hockey team since the 1980 Ice Miracle Olympics in Lake Placid.
But it was his reaction to stopping a puck in the second period with just his stick that cannot be overlooked when reviewing how Team USA defeated Canada in a game in which the latter was certainly in control most of the time.
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Connor Hellebuyck of Team USA saves the shot made by Devon Toews #7 of Team Canada in the third period during the men’s gold medal match between Canada and the United States on Day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Canadian Mitch Marner had the puck in the offensive zone when he lofted it toward Hellebuyck’s net, where defenseman Devon Toews was right in front. Maybe nine times out of 10, Toews scores in this scenario, but Hellebuyck somehow had the wherewithal to throw away his stick as a last-ditch effort to make the save.
It was the right decision.
TEAM USA MEN’S HOCKEY WINS GOLD MEDAL IN OT AGAINST CANADA AT WINTER OLYMPICS
Instead of the puck staying on the ice, Toews lifted it a little and Hellebuyck’s shovel came up to thwart the goal attempt. At that point, the score was 1-1 and remained that way until the end of the second half and throughout the third before overtime was necessary.
Connor Hellebuyck of Team USA saves the shot made by Devon Toews #7 of Team Canada in the third period during the men’s gold medal match between Canada and the United States on Day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Hellebuyck made 41 saves in the final Olympic event of the Milan 2026 Cortina Games on Sunday afternoon, and it was even sweeter that her performance ended with a gold medal around her neck after Hughes’ shot off a pass from defender Zach Werenski was beaten by Canadian goalkeeper Jordan Binnington.
“It’s a dream come true,” Hellebuyck said, via NBC, after the game. “We worked hard, we fought and this was some of the best and most fun hockey I’ve ever played.”
Hellebuyck, 32, allowed a goal to Colorado Avalanche star defenseman Cale Makar in the second period, but made save after save after that game-tying score to give his team a chance at glory.
Connor Hellebuyck of Team USA celebrates a 2-1 victory against Canada in overtime for the gold medal during the men’s gold medal match between Canada and the United States on Day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
After the game, Hellebuyck was skating alone on the ice with an American flag on his back, as the crowd cheered for the man they knew was as much of a hero as Hughes in victory.
