Every four years, the winter Olympics come around, and for the first time in 12 years, NHL players will be allowed to participate. With 12 countries competing to win, it all came down to one game. The gold medal game. The United States of America vs. Canada. A heated match-up that every hockey fan loves to see. The stakes were high, and both teams wanted to make their country proud. Team Canada was the team to beat, with their roster stacked with talented NHL stars; it was in their favor to win.
Team Canada was at a slight disadvantage with their captain, Sidney Crosby, out with an injury which he sustained in the quarterfinal game against Czechia. Canada reacted fast and named center Connor McDavid as their captain.
In the first period, both teams fought hard, but as they went into the first intermission, they both left scoreless— and more determined to score in the second. Six minutes into the second period, Matt Boldy of Team USA scored the first goal of the game, assisted by Captain Auston Matthews. For 11 minutes, the United States had the lead, until defenseman Cale Markar scored to make the game even.
As the third period started, fans, friends and family began to grow more anxious about who would be taking home gold. Both teams played hard during the third period. Team Canada’s defense played outstanding, leaving Team USA with, unfortunately, zero shots on net. Team USA goalie Connor Hellebuyck saved all 14 shots on net, including an unbelievable save by the tip of his stick. By the end of the third, no goals were let in, which would take this gold medal game into overtime.
As overtime started, both teams knew this was their last chance to prove which team out of this heated rivalry would take home gold for their country.
Overtime, a ten minute 3 – on – 3 sudden death. First to score brings home gold.
Both teams came out aggressive and determined to win.
With a pass from Hellebuyck to Zach Werenski, Werenski made it down the ice with the puck and passed it to Jack Hughes. Hughes took a chance and shot a low shot from the left circle, and for a split second, everything went silent.
One minute and 41 seconds into overtime, Hughes’ shot goes in! Hughes, a Michigan native, scored the golden goal with assists from two other Michigan natives, Hellebuyck and Werenski.
For the first time since the 1980’s “Miracle on Ice,” the US men’s team has won a gold medal.
