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There would have been no golden goal-scoring moment for Jack Hughes in Milan without the heroics of Team USA goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck, particularly on a key save in the second period.
Hellebuyck received praise throughout the competition and immediately following Hughes’ game-winning goal in overtime to clinch the first gold medal for the men’s ice hockey team since the 1980 Olympic miracle on ice in Lake Placid.
But it’s his reaction to stopping a puck in the second period with just his stick that can’t be overlooked when looking at how Team USA beat Canada in a game where the latter was certainly in control most of the time.
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Connor Hellebuyck of Team USA saves the shot taken by Devon Toews, number 7, of Team Canada in the third period during the men’s gold medal game between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics 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 threw it towards the Hellebuyck net, where defenseman Devon Toews was just in front. Maybe nine times out of ten Toews scores in this scenario, but Hellebuyck somehow had the wherewithal to throw his stick as a last-ditch effort for the save.
It was the right decision.
USA MEN’S HOCKEY TEAM WINS GOLD MEDAL IN OVERTIME AGAINST CANADA AT WINTER OLYMPICS
Instead of the puck staying on the ice, Toews lifted it just a bit and Hellebuyck’s paddle ended up just wide to thwart the goal attempt. At the time, the score was 1-1, and it remained that way until the end of the second period and throughout the third before overtime was necessary.
Connor Hellebuyck of Team USA saves the shot taken by Devon Toews, number 7, of Team Canada in the third period during the men’s gold medal game between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics 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 at the Milan Cortina 2026 Games on Sunday afternoon, and it was even sweeter that his performance ended with a gold medal around his neck after Hughes’ shot off a pass from defender Zach Werenski beat Canadian goalie Jordan Binnington.
“It’s a dream come true,” Hellebuyck said via NBC after the game. “We worked hard, we fought, and it was some of the best and most fun hockey I’ve ever played.”
Hellebuyck, 32, gave up a goal to Colorado Avalanche star defenseman Cale Makar in the second period, but he made save after save after the tying score to give his team a chance at glory.
Connor Hellebuyck of Team USA celebrates a 2-1 gold medal victory over Canada in overtime during the Men’s Gold Medal Game between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Grégory Shamus/Getty Images)
After the game, Hellebuyck skated alone on the ice with an American flag on his back, while the crowd roared for the man they knew was as much a hero as Hughes in victory.
