MILAN – The United States men’s hockey team made history in Milan, capturing their first Olympic gold medal in 44 years thanks to an overtime goal by Jack Hughes and a spectacular goaltending performance by Connor Hellebuyck in their victory over Canada.
The 32-year-old Hellebuyck turned away 40 shots during regulation as Canada relentlessly attacked the American net seeking the tying goal. When the Canadians finally managed to score, Team USA managed to survive the remaining time and push the championship game into overtime.
During the medal presentation, the loudest applause was directed toward both Hellebuyck and Hughes, with supporters showing equal appreciation for their goaltender’s heroics and their overtime hero.
“Unbelievable game by Hellebuyck,” Hughes said. “He was our best player tonight, by a mile. Unbelievable game, Unreal game by our team. That’s just a ballsy, gutsy win. That’s American hockey right there.”
Forward Matthew Tkachuk also praised the netminder’s championship performance.
“We’re going to be talking about this performance for generations. It was an all-time performance from a superstar at his position,” Tkachuk said. “If we don’t have him, we don’t win.”
The Winnipeg Jets goaltender had faced knee surgery in November and frequently dealt with media scrutiny regarding his playoff performances, but the veteran put those concerns to rest at Milano Cortina.
“At the time, though, it was scary moments having a big injury, and there was some doubt whether it was going to affect my game, but that process played its way out,” Hellebuyck said. “Those critics, they can keep writing, but they don’t understand goaltending. They definitely don’t understand my game. I know what I’m putting forward, and I know what I’m building. You know these are the moments that prove it.”
Throughout the contest, Hellebuyck remained steadfast against Canada’s offensive pressure, including a remarkable save in the third period when he denied Devon Toews by reaching behind himself with his stick to stop a point-blank attempt.
“It’s not my first stick save in my career,” Hellebuyck said. “It’s probably the biggest moment to make a stick save. But when I’m rolling back and the puck’s not in the net, it’s just an overwhelming feeling of ‘I got this’.”
The 24-year-old Hughes, who lost teeth during the game before netting the decisive goal, had also battled through injuries leading up to the Olympics.
His brother and teammate Quinn Hughes reflected on Jack’s journey to this moment.
“I remember when he got injured last year in Vegas, and he was just crushed,” teammate and brother Quinn Hughes said. “For him to make that impact, I’m not surprised, because when I look around the room before overtime, there’s probably three or four guys that look at him like, ‘that guy’s not nervous’. He wants to be that guy. And I felt that way about Jack, just a special guy, happy it happened to him, and just my best friend, but also a special player.”
