Connor Hellebuyck heroics help Team USA to gold medal in Milan

It would not have been Jack Hughes’ golden goal moment in Milan if it wasn’t for the heroism of Team USA goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck, who made a crucial save, especially in the second period.

Hellebuyck received praise throughout the contest and in the immediate aftermath of Hughes’ game-winning goal in overtime that gave the men’s ice hockey team its first gold medal since the 1980 on-ice miracle Olympics in Lake Placid.

But his reaction to stopping the puck with just his stick in the second period was something that shouldn’t be overlooked when examining how Team USA beat Canada in a game where Canada was largely in control.

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Canada’s Mitch Marner was in the offensive zone and defenseman Devon Toews was up front when he fired the puck into Hellebuyck’s goal. Toews probably scores nine times out of 10 in this scenario, but Hellebuyck somehow found the strength to throw his stick as a last resort.

It was the right move.

USA MEN’S HOCKEY TEAM WINS A GOLD MEDAL IN OT AGAINST CANADA AT THE WINTER OLYMPICS

Instead of the puck remaining on the ice, Toews lifted the puck slightly and Hellebuyck’s shovel was just clear to block the goal attempt. The score was 1-1 at the time and it remained that way until the end of the second period and into the third period before overtime was needed.

Connor Hellebuyck of Team USA saves a shot by Devon Toews #7 of Team Canada in the third period during the Men’s Gold Medal match between Canada and the USA on day 16 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at the Milan 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 2026 Milan Cortina Games on Sunday afternoon, and it was even sweeter when his performance ended with a gold medal around his neck after his shot following a pass from Hughes defenseman Zach Werenski sailed past Canadian netminder Jordan Binnington.

“This is a dream come true,” Hellebuyck said after the game, via NBC. “We worked hard, we competed, and it was some of the best and most fun hockey I’ve ever played.”

Hellebuyck, 32, scored on Colorado Avalanche star defenseman Cale Makar in the second period, but made consecutive saves after the game was tied to give his team a chance at victory.

Connor Hellebuyck of Team USA celebrates a 2-1 victory over Canada in overtime for the gold medal in the Men’s Gold Medal match between Canada and the USA during day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at the Milan 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, while the crowd began chanting the victory of the man they knew was as heroic as Hughes.

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