There wouldn’t be a Jack Hughes golden goal moment in Milan without the heroics of Team USA goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck, especially after one key save in the second period.
Hellebuyck received praise during the game and immediately after Hughes’ game-winning goal in overtime, earning the men’s ice hockey team’s first gold medal since the 1980 Olympic Games miracle-on-ice in Lake Placid.
But it was his reaction to stopping a puck in the second period with just his stick that can’t be overlooked when watching Team USA beat Canada in a game where the latter was certainly in control most of the time.
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Canadian Mitch Marner had the puck in the attacking zone when he threw it towards the Hellebuyck net, where defenseman Devon Toews was right in front of him. Perhaps nine times out of ten, Toews scores in this scenario, but Hellebuyck somehow had the wherewithal to throw out his stick in a last-ditch effort for the save.
It was the right move.
TEAM USA MEN’S HOCKEY WINS GOLD MEDAL IN OVERTIME AGAINST CANADA AT THE WINTER OLYMPICS
Instead of leaving the puck on the ice, Toews lifted it briefly and Hellebuyck’s paddle went straight into the far corner to thwart the goal attempt. At the time the score was tied at 1–1, and it remained that way until the end of the second period and through the third period before extra time was needed.
Connor Hellebuyck of Team United States saves the shot of Devon Toews #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 the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Hellebuyck made 41 saves Sunday afternoon in the final Olympic event at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games, and it was even sweeter that his performance ended with a gold medal around his neck after Hughes’ shot was ripped past Canada’s netminder Jordan Binnington after a pass from defenseman Zach Werenski.
“It’s a dream come true,” Hellebuyck said after the game, via NBC. “We grinded, we fought, and this was some of the best and most fun hockey I’ve ever played.”
The 32-year-old Hellebuyck did give up a goal to Colorado Avalanche star defenseman Cale Makar in the second period, but he made save after save after that equalizer to give his team a chance at glory.
Connor Hellebuyck of Team United States celebrates a 2-1 overtime win against Canada for the gold medal 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. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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After the game, Hellebuyck skated alone across the ice with an American flag on his back as the crowd roared for the man they knew was as much a hero as Hughes was in the victory.
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