MILAN — The United States has achieved a remarkable triumph in the realm of hockey, seizing the global spotlight for the first time in nearly 50 years.
In a dramatic conclusion at the Milan Cortina Olympics, Jack Hughes netted the decisive goal just 1:41 into overtime, securing a 2-1 victory against Canada in the gold medal match on Sunday. This victory marks the U.S.’s third Olympic men’s hockey title and their first since the iconic “Miracle on Ice” in 1980.
In contrast to the underdog college athletes who famously stunned the Soviet Union 46 years ago, the American squad in Milan was a powerhouse. With NHL talent and outstanding goaltending from Connor Hellebuyck, they dominated the tournament without a single loss.
Hellebuyck was exceptional, turning away 41 of the 42 shots he encountered as Canada relentlessly attacked. His standout moments included a crucial stick save against Devon Toews in the third period and thwarting Macklin Celebrini on a breakaway, echoing a similar denial of Connor McDavid earlier.
Facing Canada in the final was a fitting climax, given their northern rival’s longstanding dominance in international hockey, having clinched every major tournament over the past 16 years with the world’s elite players.
That era of Canadian dominance is now over.
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.
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