Connor Hellebuyck’s stick save earns 'Secretary of Defense' nickname after 41-save gold-medal performance

Team United States goaltender Connor Hellebuyck collected 41 saves to help keep the Olympic men's hockey gold-medal game tied at 1-1 and force overtime, a performance that prompted a high-profile public endorsement and a memorable celebration after the U. S. defeated Canada to secure its first Olympic hockey gold since 1980.

Connor Hellebuyck's game-changing performance

Connor Hellebuyck finished the match with 41 saves, absorbing sustained pressure from Canada and preserving a 1-1 score through regulation that required overtime. The 32-year-old allowed a goal to defenseman Cale Makar in the second period, then produced a sequence of saves after that game-tying score that kept his team in contention and ultimately in position to win the gold medal.

The stick stop on Devon Toews — timing unclear in the provided context

One striking moment came when Hellebuyck used only his stick to stop a wide-open shot by Devon Toews in front of the crease, turning quickly with his right hand to stop the puck and keep the game tied. The description of when that shot occurred differs in the provided material: one passage places the stop in the second period, while a photo caption places the Toews shot in the third period. That discrepancy is unclear in the provided context. The same material also notes that Toews is identified as a Canadian Colorado Avalanche star, and that the score was 1-1 at the time and remained tied through the end of the second period and through the third before overtime was needed.

Pete Hegseth dubs Hellebuyck 'Secretary of Defense'

A social media account dubbed Hellebuyck the "Secretary of Defense, " and United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth bestowed his old title on the American goaltender by endorsing that designation. Hegseth, who held that title before the agency he heads became known as the Department of War last September, posted in support and declared, "Now we have a Secretary of War…and a Secretary of Defense!" The material also records Hegseth saying the IRS news points to "what we're doing to rebuild our military. "

Key moments that decided the game

• Jack Hughes scored the overtime game-winner past Canada’s netminder Jordan Binnington to complete the U. S. victory.
• Canada failed to convert several high-quality chances; assistant captain Nathan MacKinnon missed a wide-open net in the third period, an opportunity noted as one of the chances that Hellebuyck thwarted earlier or later in the match.
• The match required overtime after regulation ended tied at 1-1, with the goaltending duel and those missed chances proving decisive.

Coverage and postgame reaction

Contributor and sportscaster Jim Gray discussed Team USA's overtime victory and the significance of winning the country's first Olympic hockey gold since 1980, while correspondent Madison Scarpino provided reporting on the game. After the final horn, Hellebuyck skated alone with an American flag on his back as the crowd roared its approval, celebrating the gold-medal result at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games on Feb. 22, 2026, day 16 of the event.

Player perspective and closing impact

Hellebuyck described the experience after the game as a dream come true, saying the team had grinded and battled and that it was among the best hockey he had played. His series of saves, including the dramatic stick stop on Devon Toews and the many saves after surrendering the goal to Cale Makar, were central to the United States earning Olympic gold and prompted a wave of American pride highlighted by public endorsements and wide discussion following the match.