Connor Hellebuyck hailed after stick save in U.S. Olympic gold win
connor hellebuyck stopped a wide-open Devon Toews shot with his stick in the second period, a scramble save that helped keep the score tied and ultimately propelled the United States to a 2-1 overtime victory over Canada for Olympic gold.
Connor Hellebuyck's stick save kept the U. S. alive
One of 41 saves on the night, Hellebuyck reached behind himself in the opening minutes of the second period and hit the puck with the blade of his stick as Devon Toews crept into the slot with what looked like an open net. The play left Canada searching for a goal and the score at 1-1 through the end of the second period and the third, forcing overtime at Santaguilia Arena and at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on day 16 / day sixteen of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy.
41 saves in Milan sent the game to overtime
Hellebuyck, listed as 32 years old in the coverage, finished the gold medal game with 41 saves as the United States defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime. Jack Hughes scored the game-winner past Canada's netminder Jordan Binnington. Hellebuyck did allow a goal to Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar in the second period but followed with a string of stops that preserved the Americans' chance at gold.
Praise from former goalie Mike Richter and teammates
Mike Richter said he was "flabbergasted" by the stick save and invoked Patrick Roy, Dominik Hasek and Jim Craig while describing Hellebuyck's performance. "I watched it like 10 times on replay, and the key is he doesn't give up on the puck, " Richter said, noting his own history of winning consecutive 5-2 games against Canada in 1996. Teammate Charlie McAvoy called the Toews stop the turning point in the moment: "I was yelling down the bench, 'That's the one, '" McAvoy said. Canada forward Sam Bennett added: "You have to tip your hat to their goalie — he played great. We had a lot of looks. We generated what we wanted, but sometimes the goalie steals it, and he did a great job. "
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth dubs him the 'Secretary of Defense'
A social media account had labeled Hellebuyck the "Secretary of Defense, " and United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth — who held that title before the agency he heads became known as the Department of War last September — endorsed the nickname, writing, "Now we have a Secretary of War…and a Secretary of Defense!" Hegseth was among many showing American pride after the victory, which was the country's first Olympic men's hockey gold since 1980.
Moments and images from the rink
Coverage captured Hellebuyck making the paddle save on Toews after the puck was lifted slightly, putting the blade of his stick in the way. Nathan MacKinnon missed a wide-open net in the third period as Canada failed to capitalize on several grade-A chances. After the final horn, Hellebuyck skated around the ice alone with an American flag on his back while the crowd roared. Following the game he 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. "
The win echoed past U. S. Olympic history: when the Americans previously won Olympic gold in 1980, Jim Craig was the hero, making 36 saves in an upset that is noted in the coverage as occurring on this very day 46 years ago.
contributor and sportscaster Jim Gray discussed Team USA's overtime victory, and correspondent Madison Scarpino provided coverage of the game. Mike Richter watched the play live and compared Hellebuyck's refusal to give up on the puck to the greats he named.
What comes next for the team and for Hellebuyck is unclear in the provided context.
