No miracle was needed.
Exactly 46 years after Team USA defeated the Soviet Union in one of the greatest upsets in sports history, the Americans finally reclaimed Olympic gold in men’s hockey for the first time since the “Miracle on Ice” with Sunday’s 2-1 overtime win over Canada.
The Devils’ Jack Hughes delivered the golden goal just 1:41 into the 3-on-3 extra session after Connor Hellebuyck re-cemented his place as the world’s best goaltender with a 41-save performance, featuring a ridiculous stick stop of Devon Toews that kept the game tied in the third period. Team USA, which also won gold in 1960, earned their first medal in the event since settling for silver after a loss to Canada in 2010. The Americans also finished second in 2002, behind Canada.
Team USA — one year removed from a Four Nations title game defeat to Canada — was outplayed for much of Sunday’s gold medal game and outshot, 42-28, but the reigning Vezina Trophy winner put on the greatest performance of his career, and his teammates supplied a gritty effort, which helped kill off a 93-second 5-on-3 Canadian advantage in the second period. Team USA did not allow a power play goal in the tournament (18-for-18).
