The GIST: It wasn’t a Miracle, but 46 years later, the result was the same: Team USA is back atop the men’s hockey world, beating Canada 2–1 in 3-on-3 overtime yesterday to win Olympic gold for the first time since 1980. Here’s how the red, white, and blue claimed the final hardware of the Milano Cortina Games.
👏 Connor Hellebuyck and Jack Hughes’ heroics power American victory: A toothless Hughes scored the Golden Goal, while goaltender Connor Hellebuyck stayed steady as the team’s backbone, putting on a 41-save clinic as the Canadians outshot the Americans 42-28. Brick wall, waterfall, Helly does it all.
💔 The bigger picture: The American-heavy crowd at Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena erupted after the win, but the mood turned briefly somber when Team USA honored their teammate Columbus Blue Jacket Johnny Gaudreau, who was tragically killed alongside his brother, Matthew, in 2024.