On Sunday February 22nd, the U.S.A Men’s Olympic Hockey Team took home the gold medal in Milan, defeating Team Canada in overtime with a score of 2-1. Bringing home the gold medal for the first time since the ‘Miracle On Ice’ exactly 46 years ago. Players that stepped up for the United States in the big game were goalie Connor Hellebuyck, and forwards Jack Hughes and Matt Boldy.
“Hellebuyck was insane for us, he had the best game of his entire life when he needed to have a good game. He showed up when his country and teammates needed him the most” junior Dom Campana said.
Hellebuyck, the Winnipeg Jets goalie in the NHL was the starter for the U.S. in the Olympics. Hellebuyck is a back to back NHL best goalie of the year (Vezina Trophy) and won the MVP award (Hart Trophy) last year for best player in the league. Hellebuyck is the well deserved ‘fan-named’ MVP of the Olympics. He is not very known for high-pressure games but he stepped up big time with an Olympic high 41 saves and only one goal against in the gold medal game.
“It is amazing to see Matthew and Brady Tkachuk as well as Clayton Keller represent St. Louis in the big game like that. Brady is someone I always look up to as a hockey player too, his leadership to his team is always something I try to copy in my game” junior Zach Guinn said.
Forwards Matthew, Brady Tkachuk, and Clayton Keller, all from the St. Louis area, played for the United States in the gold medal game. With the Tkachuk brothers going to Chaminade College Prep High School in St. Louis and Keller being born in Chesterfield, they represented the St. Louis area with being bright spots on the team. The Tkachuk brothers are known for their fierce play style, with being fighters yet big leaders for their teams in the NHL. Keller is also known as a big leader, being the captain for his NHL squad, the Utah Mammoth.
“Their goals were electric. I didn’t think it could’ve gotten better with Quinn scoring his but Jack scoring the winner just made their family look even better than everybody else thought in the past” junior Carter Lickteig said.
Forward Jack and defender Quinn Hughes, players for the New Jersey Devils (Jack) and the Minnesota Wild (Quinn) for the NHL. Quinn scored the overtime quarterfinal goal in Sweden to secure their spot in the semi-finals, with an amazing wrist shot to send Team Sweden home. Jack Hughes with the ‘Golden Goal’ for Team USA finished a one-timer pass for the overtime win. Jack went on air with NBC’s Kathryn Tappen after the game and said “So proud to be an American today”.
This men’s USA Olympic team was more than just a team, it was a family united by their patriotism and love for their country. They were only teammates for two weeks but their love for each other after the game was an unbreakable bond that no other teammates can share for each other. With this gold medal winning year, this moment has enlightened Americans throughout the nation.
