Connor Hellebuyck Stonewalls Canada, Delivers 41-Save Night as USA Ends 46-Year Olympic Gold Drought
Connor Hellebuyck stopped 41 of 42 shots to preserve a 2-1 victory over Canada in the Olympic men’s hockey gold-medal game, a result that ended the United States’ 46-year Olympic hockey gold drought and delivered the nation’s first hockey title since 1980. The performance — capped by a stick save on Devon Toews that kept the score tied and sent the game to overtime — proved decisive as Jack Hughes scored the sudden-death winner past Jordan Binnington.
Stick save on Devon Toews at Santagiulia Arena
Midway through the second period at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026, Devon Toews had a wide-open chance in front of the crease. Hellebuyck somehow got his paddle in the puck’s path, turning with his right hand to stop the puck with only his stick and prevent what would have been a go-ahead goal. That stop left the score 1-1 through the remainder of the second period and the third, and ultimately forced the overtime session in which Jack Hughes finished the game.
41 saves, one goal allowed and a 93-second 5-on-3 test
Hellebuyck finished with 41 saves on 42 shots, giving up a single goal when Cale Makar ripped a far-side shot in the second period — Makar’s second of the tournament. Across the scoreless third period he turned aside 14 shots. He also stood strong through a 93-second 5-on-3 Canada power play that featured an especially dangerous collection of players, keeping the contest tied and preserving Team USA’s chance at gold.
Connor Hellebuyck’s performance praised by teammates
Teammates singled out Hellebuyck’s impact all night. Brock Faber skated over to the goalie after every whistle and said, “I was telling him he’s the best in the world, ” recounting that Hellebuyck would just smile and respond, “I know. ” Charlie McAvoy lauded the goaltender’s composure, saying, “He channeled his Jimmy Craig tonight, ” and calling several of Hellebuyck’s stops — including the Toews play — turning points in the game. The goalie also denied Connor McDavid on an uncontested breakaway and stonewalled Macklin Celebrini on another breakaway, actions teammates pointed to when assessing his tournament form.
Pete Hegseth endorses 'Secretary of Defense' tag and social reaction
A social media account dubbed Hellebuyck the "Secretary of Defense" after his standout night, a label that Pete Hegseth — who once held the title of Secretary of War and whose agency was renamed the Department of War last September — endorsed publicly, saying, “Now we have a Secretary of War…and a Secretary of Defense!” The nickname circulated widely as fans and officials celebrated the American victory.
Overtime finish, Jack Hughes and postgame scene
The game-winner came in overtime when Jack Hughes scored past Canada netminder Jordan Binnington to give the United States a 2-1 victory. Canada had multiple Grade-A chances that went unconverted, including Nathan MacKinnon missing a wide-open net in the third period. After the final horn, the 32-year-old Hellebuyck skated alone with an American flag draped over his back as the crowd rose in approval. He described the result as “a dream come true” on NBC, saying the team had “grinded” and “battled. ”
What makes this notable is the direct line from Hellebuyck’s late-game saves — particularly the stick stop on Toews — to the opportunity for Hughes’ overtime winner; the single preserved tie turned into a championship that ended a 46-year wait and sealed the United States’ first Olympic hockey gold since 1980. The broader implication is a reframing of Hellebuyck’s reputation: after long-standing questions about his record in big games, his tournament-long consistency and 41-save performance removed doubt in the minds of teammates and many observers.
Hellebuyck’s night in Milan combined statistical dominance, a handful of high-profile stops against the world’s top scorers, and visible celebration, leaving little ambiguity about his role in the United States’ gold-medal run at Santagiulia Arena on Feb. 22, 2026.
