Connor Hellebuyck: connor hellebuyck's miracle stick save helped Team USA capture first hockey gold since 1980 at Olympics
connor hellebuyck turned a likely goal into one of the defining moments of the Milano Cortina 2026 final, using only his stick on a second-period play that helped preserve a 1-1 score and ultimately set the stage for Jack Hughes’ overtime winner. Hellebuyck finished with 41 saves as Team USA beat Canada 2-1 in overtime to claim the men’s gold medal — the nation’s first since the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics.
Connor Hellebuyck's key save
The decisive intervention came in the second period when Canada’s Mitch Marner sent a puck toward Hellebuyck’s net with Devon Toews stationed in front. The context noted that perhaps nine out of 10 times Toews would score in that situation, but Hellebuyck threw his stick out as a last-ditch effort and his paddle thwarted the attempt when Toews lifted the puck just enough for the stick to stop it. At that moment the score was 1-1; it remained tied through the end of the second and through the third period before overtime.
Team USA survives Canada pressure
Canada controlled much of the second period after struggling in the first, outshooting the United States 19-8 in the frame and repeatedly testing Hellebuyck with chances from Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar and Macklin Celebrini. Hellebuyck turned aside a breakaway from Connor McDavid early in the second period and later stood strong during a 5-on-3 advantage held by Canada for 1 minute, 33 seconds after penalties to Jake Guentzel and Charlie McAvoy.
The United States killed that power play and improved to 17-for-17 on the penalty kill in the tournament. Canada eventually tied the game 1-1 at 18: 16 of the second period when Colorado Avalanche star defenseman Cale Makar scored from the right circle.
Milano Santagiulia scenes and photos
The gold-medal game took place at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy, on Feb. 22, 2026, during day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games. Photographers Jared C. Tilton and Jamie Squire provided images of Hellebuyck making saves on shots including the one taken by Devon Toews #7 of Team Canada in the third period.
Stat line and season context
Entering the gold-medal game, Hellebuyck led the tournament with a. 947 save percentage, having stopped 90 of 95 shots faced, and he carried a 1. 23 goals-against average into the final. He recorded 41 saves in the victory that ended with Jack Hughes’ overtime shot — following a pass from defenseman Zach Werenski — beating Canada’s netminder Jordan Binnington to secure the 2-1 result.
The 32-year-old Hellebuyck conceded the goal scored by Cale Makar in the second period but then made save after save to give his team a chance at gold. Hellebuyck had posted a. 900 save percentage and a 2. 79 goals-against average before the Olympic break, and he captured both the Vezina (his third) and Hart trophies in the season leading up to the Games.
Rankings and recognition
An update of NHL starting-goaltender rankings released on Jan. 31 placed Hellebuyck No. 2 overall for the 2025-26 season, behind Tampa Bay Lightning and Russian netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy, who reclaimed the top spot. The ranking noted recent performance more heavily than reputation and listed Hellebuyck as the Team USA and Winnipeg Jets goaltender.
Reactions and aftermath
Team USA women’s hockey gold medalist Taylor Heise told reporters she believed the men could replicate their success. After the game Hellebuyck said, "It’s a dream come true. We grinded, we battled, and this was some of the best and most fun hockey that I’ve ever played. " Teammates and commentators praised Hellebuyck throughout the contest and immediately after Jack Hughes’ game-winning goal in overtime that clinched the first men’s Olympic hockey gold for the United States since the 1980 miracle-on-ice in Lake Placid.
The final Olympic event at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games concluded on a Sunday afternoon with Team USA celebrating a 2-1 overtime victory over Canada.
