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MILAN (AP) — No extraordinary events were required. The United States has risen to the pinnacle of the hockey world, marking a historic moment after nearly 50 years.
In a thrilling conclusion, Jack Hughes netted a goal just 1:41 into overtime, leading the U.S. to a 2-1 victory over Canada in the gold medal match at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Sunday. This triumph secured America’s third men’s hockey title at the Olympics, their first since the legendary “Miracle on Ice” in 1980.
Unlike the underdog college team that famously toppled the dominant Soviet Union 46 years ago, the U.S. squad in Milan was a powerhouse. With goaltender Connor Hellebuyck anchoring a star-studded lineup of NHL talent, the Americans navigated the tournament without a single loss.
Hellebuyck stood out as the game’s most formidable player, turning away 41 of the 42 shots he faced as Canada relentlessly attacked. He delivered the tournament’s standout save by deflecting a Devon Toews shot with his stick in the third period and thwarted Macklin Celebrini on a breakaway, repeating his earlier success against Connor McDavid.
The victory held extra significance as it came against Canada, their longtime rival to the north. Canada had bested the U.S. at the 4 Nations Face-Off last year and maintained a dominant streak, clinching every major international competition featuring top-tier global players over the past 16 years.
Not anymore.
Winning a fast-paced, riveting game that was full of big hits and plenty of post-whistle altercations, the U.S. got a goal from Matt Boldy 6 minutes in and led until Cale Makar tied it late in the second period. Hellebuyck and the penalty kill was a perfect 18 for 18 at the Olympics.
The U.S. finally came through after generations of churning out talent from the grassroots level like a production line. All but two of the 25 players on the team went through USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program.
That group of 23 includes captain Auston Matthews, the top line of Brady and Matthew Tkachuk and Jack Eichel, and the second set of brothers, Jack and Quinn Hughes. Much of the team played together either at the program, under-18s, the world junior championship or some combination of them.
The U.S. winning silenced criticism of general manager Bill Guerin and his management group choosing a roster full of experienced veteran players to fill specific roles and leaving four of the top 10 American goal-scorers in the NHL this season at home. Some decisions were no-doubters, like coach Mike Sullivan giving the net to Hellebuyck, who was the best goalie in the tournament.
Canada, back-to-back Olympic champions in 2010 and ’14 and winners of three of the first five, fell short while playing without injured captain Sidney Crosby. The 38-year-old two-time gold medalist and three-time Stanley Cup champion left the quarterfinal game against Czechia and sat out the semifinal game against Finland.
McDavid, the widely considered best player in the world who wore the “C” in Crosby’s absence, suffered another devastating defeat on the doorstep of a title. He and the Edmonton Oilers have lost to Matthew Tkachuk and the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final each of the past two years.