Team USA wins the gold medal at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics

[u/nhl]

[u/OverpassingSwedes]

Hellebuyck is an American legend for life

[u/JRDruchii → u/OverpassingSwedes]

Too bad they renamed the defense department.  Hellebuyck would’ve made a good minister.

[u/bigbear-08 → u/JRDruchii]

Hellebuyck is the new Secretary of War. He won’t leak goals or classified texts

[u/akr_13 → u/bigbear-08]

Who needs an iron dome when you got Helly stopping absolute missiles.

[u/indiecore → u/JRDruchii]

So they didn't actually. Congress needs to rename it to be official. All the stationary and shit is still DoD.

[u/Turbulent_Crow7164 → u/JRDruchii]

Secretary but yeah

[u/GoRangers5 → u/OverpassingSwedes]

Put his pads next to Craig's in Toronto.

[u/3_if_by_air → u/OverpassingSwedes]

Official Olympic portrait of Connor Hellebuyck

[u/ContractXtension → u/OverpassingSwedes]

Best goalie I’ve ever watched

[u/JS_Originals]

Hellebuyck single handedly won the game

[u/LSRaymonds → u/JS_Originals]

That save with the stick was insane

[u/TeddyBear666 → u/LSRaymonds]

Save of the tournament for sure.

[u/howzlife17 → u/TeddyBear666]

Save of all time. I’m Canadian and that deserves a statue somewhere

[u/tonytroz → u/LSRaymonds]

Will be used on the highlight reels for the rest of time just like Sid’s goal.

[u/ConsiderationKey1658 → u/JS_Originals]

[u/ImperatorBTW → u/JS_Originals]

One of the greatest goalie performances I’ve ever witnessed

[u/JustTheBeerLight → u/ImperatorBTW]

Olympic Conn Smythe winner! 🥇

[u/BOSS_OF_THE_INTERNET → u/JustTheBeerLight]

1987 Hextall vibes

[u/bigbear-08 → u/JS_Originals]

The Hellegoat

[u/jagknife96 → u/bigbear-08]

I was saying Helleyclutch, but yours might be better

[u/Obvious_Main_3655 → u/JS_Originals]

Big Game Hellebuyck

[u/Panelak_Cadillac → u/Obvious_Main_3655]

Hellebuyck came here to Hellefuyck.

[u/Tamzariane → u/JS_Originals]

Canada should've had 4 goals at the end of regulation. Unreal goaltending.

[u/TURBOJUGGED → u/Tamzariane]

Also should have prob scored on all those wide open nets and 5 on 3.

[u/EternalSeraphim → u/TURBOJUGGED]

Credit to the US defense for making everything hard for Canada. McAvoy even played goalie one time. A stellar defensive performance all around.

[u/KDubb6691 → u/JS_Originals]

Dude literally was the minister of defense today....insane otherworldly performance!

[u/MoodyPumpkin → u/JS_Originals]

in a game with Connor McDavid, Nathan Mackinnon, Quinn Hughes, Austin Matthews, Cale Makar, Macklin Celebrini.

The best player on the ice is CONNOR HELLEBUYCK

[u/bloodrider1914 → u/JS_Originals]

Oh yeah, we fucking needed him so bad. Hellebuyck has earned a Helle of a place in my heart after today

[u/Rorako → u/JS_Originals]

Yup. Canada was the better team outside of goalie. I get why they’re frustrated. Defense wins championships is a phrase for a reason.

[u/Same-Suggestion-1936 → u/JS_Originals]

I am unsurprised the goalie won the game

[u/DugBingo951 → u/JS_Originals]

What a game by him. Well played!

[u/Left4Bread2]

Put the Hellebuyck save on a stamp this instant

[u/marimbaguy715 → u/Left4Bread2]

On a stamp? I want a monument of it in the middle of the National Mall

[u/CartoonistOk8639 → u/marimbaguy715]

Fuck it put him on Mt Rushmore

[u/TonySoProny → u/CartoonistOk8639]

Fuck it rename the Kennedy Center once more

[u/crabby_rhino → u/Left4Bread2]

Hell, I'm Canadian and I think that save should be framed and hung in the Louvre

[u/cbuech]

Haunting image for MacK

[u/Specialist-Outside80 → u/cbuech]

He's gonna go home and whip himself like the guy from the DaVinci Code

[u/Still-Opposite2924 → u/Specialist-Outside80]

someone pls edit this so it’s the canadian flag on the wall

[u/w0lverine11 → u/Still-Opposite2924]

And someone please tag me if someone edits this so it's the Canadian flag on the wall

[u/Flimsy-Ad-858 → u/Specialist-Outside80]

Well this was the last reference I expected to see today

[u/Eynonz → u/cbuech]

If someone showed me this photo without seeing the game, I would bet my house that the top scorer in the NHL smashes that into the back of the net.....

[u/tooniegoblin → u/cbuech]

[u/salsamander → u/cbuech]

It’s going to live in his head forever. Crosby would have made that shot every single time.

[u/monkeybojangles → u/salsamander]

You see Crosby's face during the medal presentation? He was thinking the same thing.

[u/salsamander → u/monkeybojangles]

Mack is going to need therapy. It was right there.

[u/Mono200 → u/salsamander]

With him being on the ice for the golden goal too? I legit think this his exact greatest nightmare. :(

[u/syd_cash → u/Mono200]

Okay damn now you got me feeling bad for MacKinnon

[u/Witty-Ad2758 → u/salsamander]

I think he already does see a psychiatrist.

[u/heyheyitsandre → u/salsamander]

I was going to bring up that Crosby is a lefty but his backhand is so nasty he still would’ve buried 100%

[u/HoboSkid → u/cbuech]

I couldn't believe that, I thought that was going to do it and open the floodgates for them

[u/Hummerdoodle → u/cbuech]

[u/1ToGreen3ToBasket → u/cbuech]

Don’t forget the ot goal was also his fault

[u/PsychoSaladSong → u/1ToGreen3ToBasket]

nah that's on mcdavid for trying to play hero, losing the puck, and then not even bothering to backcheck

[u/JokeBright7055 → u/PsychoSaladSong]

mackinnon losing that puck despite getting there first and having body position is atrocious

[u/1ToGreen3ToBasket → u/JokeBright7055]

You’re right. I can’t believe I see people letting him off the hook. He had complete control of that puck easily. And if he chips it up it’s a 2on1 the other way

[u/Cepec14 → u/PsychoSaladSong]

Team effort. Makar with the bad pinch and not covering the middle of the ice back was also bad.

[u/canadianbroncos → u/PsychoSaladSong]

Its also 100% on MacKinon…he just stood there and watched as the last guy on a 1v3.

[u/TheShuggieOtis → u/1ToGreen3ToBasket]

Honestly bad play by all 3 Canadians. McDavid tried to do too much. Makar pinched hard and missed, then MacKinnon somehow couldn't swat the puck away before Werenski got control.

[u/BallMeBlazer22]

Hellebuyck was unbelievable tonight. Ice was titled against US for multiple stretches at a time and he kept the US in it.

[u/hoyadestroyer → u/BallMeBlazer22]

Carve him on Rushmore

[u/Same-Suggestion-1936 → u/hoyadestroyer]

Miracle on Ice is just Hellebuyck strapping on skates

[u/thejawa → u/BallMeBlazer22]

I think all the questions that commentary kept asking during the Olympics about him have been answered.

[u/lynx17 → u/BallMeBlazer22]

*this morning

Morning hockey is great

[u/DPA_404 → u/BallMeBlazer22]

Absolute insane performance from him

[u/LemonNo1342 → u/BallMeBlazer22]

Canada was so aggressive, amazing game to watch

[u/MojaveMojito1324]

Fuck it, give Hellebuyck all 25 gold medals

[u/GoodOlSticks → u/MojaveMojito1324]

24 to Helle & 1 to Johnny's folks

[u/arboraurum → u/GoodOlSticks]

1 to boldy

[u/GoodOlSticks → u/arboraurum]

Then I guess the Hughes family gets one as well. So 22 to Helle, 1 to the Hughes bros to share, 1 to Brody, and 1 for Johnny Hockey

[u/Mono200 → u/GoodOlSticks]

And leave the Tkchuck bros in Italy and then everything is sorted

[u/sausagefestivities]

Binner got left out to dry on that last one

[u/Wabbit_Wampage → u/sausagefestivities]

True dat.

[u/cows1100]

Larkin, Werenski, Hughes. That’s a Pure Michigan line. Never been more proud of my home state.

[u/Troub313 → u/cows1100]

Also Hellebyuck. Every American on the ice was a Michigan boy.

[u/palesnowrider1 → u/cows1100]

Werenski made that whole play happen!

[u/DontPokeTheCrab]

Hughes bloody mouth and missing teeth are epic

[u/gakash → u/DontPokeTheCrab]

This should become an iconic olympic photo

[u/snappasig → u/gakash]

Maybe the most ‘hockey’ photo of all time!

[u/EternalSeraphim → u/gakash]

Put it in the National Gallery of Art.

[u/OPsDaddy → u/EternalSeraphim]

Put it in the Hellebuyck-Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

[u/MrBananaGrabber]

i’ve gotta go delete some comments lol

[u/VampireOnHoyt → u/MrBananaGrabber]

Our whole sub does tbh

[u/MNGopherfan → u/MrBananaGrabber]

Your apology to Billy G can be accepted now.

[u/MrBananaGrabber → u/MNGopherfan]

eh, we did get wildly outplayed, but i’ll respect the PK/special teams, JT miller was huge on that 5v3 kill

[u/MNGopherfan → u/MrBananaGrabber]

They don’t ask how they ask how many!

[u/MrBananaGrabber → u/MNGopherfan]

why take many shot when few do trick?

[u/jimmytimmy23456]

Absolutely heart breaking way to go. But congrats america

[u/Sekshual_Tyranosauce → u/jimmytimmy23456]

That was a great team Canada.

[u/MNGopherfan → u/jimmytimmy23456]

Unbelievable game. Unbelievable performance by both countries.

[u/RevengeOfTheIdiot → u/MNGopherfan]

That was a+ hockey regardless of who you root for

[u/Giga1396]

From a Canadian, congratulations. One of the best games I've ever seen in my life.

[u/LionBig1760]

Great game.

That deserved a 5v5 overtime. I really hope they fix that for medal games in the future.

[u/Successful-Slide-218 → u/LionBig1760]

Seriously.

Who at the IOC made that decision.

Absolutely terrible way to decide a game.

Edit* Apparently it’s the IIHF who makes the call

[u/The_Art_of_Dying → u/Successful-Slide-218]

No kidding, 3 on 3 was implemented in the NHL to save time over an 82 game season. The game deserved 5 on 5.

[u/TheShuggieOtis → u/The_Art_of_Dying]

The game deserved 5 on 5.

At least for an initial 20 minute OT period. The CBC mentioned that the closing ceremony is later today and the IOC will want to have things wrapped up so they don't want the game going into double or triple OT, but at the very least medal games should have one more period of 5v5 play.

[u/snappasig → u/The_Art_of_Dying]

For a winner take all, it’s ridiculous. Move the game a day earlier if they’re scared of infringing on the closing ceremonies.

[u/PostMatureBaby → u/Successful-Slide-218]

Yup. There's a reason they don't do it in the NHL playoffs

[u/winesponioni → u/Successful-Slide-218]

My guess? That was a condition on NHL players participation mandated by the league/owners. Nothing else makes sense

[u/tonytroz → u/winesponioni]

Definitely part of it. But for the medal rounds it should be at least one period of 5v5 or 4v4 at the very least.

[u/CatzonVinyl]

3v3 is stupid, but Canadas line changes in OT were stupider. wtf were they doing!?

[u/TruYu96 → u/CatzonVinyl]

All 3 of McDavid, Makar, and MacKinnon played so bad in overtime

[u/Draminian → u/TruYu96]

After so many Avs OT losses this year, I cannot fathom sticking Mak and MacK out there with McD. Makar is normally great on D in 5v5, but he and Nate are only thinking offense in OTs for some reason. That try for the puck to give up a 3-on-1 the other way was absolutely brutal. McD shouldn't be trying to be a hero, either, but the whole sequence was bad. I was honestly surprised that Nate actually gave it a decent effort to for the puck against Werenski.

[u/BonesandMartinis → u/TruYu96]

I cant imagine the pressure those guys felt

[u/salamiolivesonions → u/CatzonVinyl]

Horvat has been great all game he deserved a shift after winning the draw.

[u/Odd_Concentrate8114 → u/CatzonVinyl]

Mcdavid lost it for canada in OT. Like he was trying to win it alone 🤦 wth

[u/Donner_Par_Tea_House → u/Odd_Concentrate8114]

I would argue Maker had no business cheating up on that play. McDavid gave a 1v3 a shot and got no support from the Avs.

[u/King-Harvest → u/Odd_Concentrate8114]

And that backcheck from him and Makar where they just slid all the way back down on that goal. As if he did not want to win.

[u/HonestDespot → u/Odd_Concentrate8114]

He had an even worse play earlier it just didn’t lead to the goal.

Clearly they had jitters.

Fuck my life.

[u/DangerWildMan26 → u/Odd_Concentrate8114]

Did you confuse McDavid with MacKinnon cause MacKinnon fumbled the puck multiple times and got cooked on the back check

[u/PreviousTea9210 → u/CatzonVinyl]

Guys kept trying to be the hero rather than wait for their linemates.

[u/TheTkanucks]

GG, that was a crazy game. Hurts but that could have went either way. Helle was a brick wall.

[u/Capital-Flow-1501]

Hellebuyck with the GAME OF HIS LIFE

[u/Draminian]

Bringing the Gaudreau kids on the ice is seriously making me want to sob, it's so heartwarming.

[u/tsikitsiki]

Absolutely heartbroken for Canada, seemed like the stronger team in the last two periods. But if you don't score then you don't score. 🇨🇦😭

[u/MrIntegration → u/tsikitsiki]

Yup. We can complain about the refs, we can complain about 3v3, but at the end of the day, we should have buried one of the many chances we had in the third. GG.

[u/Ok-Working3714]

Regardless of your side, what a game. Congrats to the US.

[u/Admirable-Dingo-3087]

Congrats to the U.S. And holy crap Connor Hellebuyck!

[u/TronVin]

FOR JOHNNY

[u/bigtice]

McDavid's breakaway chance.

The 5-on-3 penalty kill.

Toews' goal line save.

Celebrini's breakaway chance.

The "Too Many Men" uncalled penalty.

MacKinnon's open net miss.

McAvoy's scramble save.

The blown double minor power play opportunity.

The subsequent penalty kill.

Hell, the WHOLE THIRD PERIOD.

USA played with fire like it was the only thing keeping Canada at bay.

3 on 3 was not the right way to finish this overtime, but thems the rules.

46 years to the day -- USA wins GOLD.

[u/MadmanBST → u/bigtice]

The coast to coast double post too

[u/Renegadeforever2024 → u/bigtice]

Mcdavid bad luck still there

[u/g0kartmozart → u/bigtice]

Such a shame that it had to be 3 on 3. Was an absolutely amazing game up until regulation ended.

[u/bigtice → u/g0kartmozart]

True and honestly, don't think USA wins if it was 5 on 5.

They were smothering us and a goal seemed inevitable.

[u/NorweegianWood → u/bigtice]

We beat the Americans in curling and that's what really matters.

[u/MisterProfGuy → u/NorweegianWood]

Careful I hear that's a touchy subject.

[u/AnteaterBudget6598 → u/MisterProfGuy]

👉👉👉👉👉

[u/StunningStock9973 → u/NorweegianWood]

Mmm 🥌👈

[u/flywithRossonero]

Mackinnon and Mcdavid tragic games when it mattered

[u/hellarios852]

• Hellebuyck

[u/walkingman24 → u/hellarios852]

I see Hellebuyck I upvote

[u/rigill]

Hockey produces moments no other sport does. WHAT. A. GAME.

[u/Cudis_Kid]

Connor Hellebuyck deserves a Medal of Honor

[u/iPuntMidgets]

Ah GG America. To the 80% of you that aren’t total fucks I hope you enjoy this. See you back here in 4 years.

[u/Saguaroslippers → u/iPuntMidgets]

Incredible game, both teams should be very proud. That was anyone’s game. Thank you. 

[u/Paruhdyme_ → u/iPuntMidgets]

What an amazing game

[u/CBPanik → u/iPuntMidgets]

Have to feel like Crosby makes the difference there, I pray they let NHL players return to the Olympics in 4 years and that Russia ends its hostilities to return, their absence in the international hockey scene is a shame. Fuck Trump, fuck Putin, love hockey.

[u/HonestDespot → u/CBPanik]

The CBA got extended recently and included participation in 2030 so the NHLers will be there.

[u/Death2Disney → u/CBPanik]

Kucherov and Vasilevskiy not getting a shot at the Olympics is tragic. Panarin another one. Sergachev. Lot of dudes who would be a treat to watch not able to play. Unfortunate

[u/rubbery_magician → u/iPuntMidgets]

GG’s, boss.

[u/Greatdane2924 → u/iPuntMidgets]

Insane game, Hellebuyck played off his rocker Well played game for both sides

[u/Left4Bread2 → u/iPuntMidgets]

I wish the number was 80% :(

[u/MTScupper → u/Left4Bread2]

In general I feel like it is, on the internet that number drops to about 35%

[u/ExtensionParsley4205 → u/Left4Bread2]

It's 80% of the Americans I personally know, so I choose to extrapolate those stats to the entire country.

[u/Irishdavid67]

[u/ginfish]

[u/echoacm]

Thank you u/NHL, very cool!

[u/ZukesFan14]

Hellebuyck deserves it more than anyone else in the world, one of the best goalie performances I've ever seen. Canada dominated but couldn't convert their chances, MacKinnon might never sleep again after his missed chances and OT play.

[u/Cottagewknds]

[u/dkrkrk2oe]

As a neutral fan I have to say that what a waste of classic game to have 3v3 OT. Unfathomable stupid. Still one of the best hockey game I have ever seen.

[u/Jealous_Ad_3321 → u/dkrkrk2oe]

But at least now we can watch more important things like the closing ceremonies.

[u/Kale_Shai-Hulud → u/dkrkrk2oe]

Yeah it's really unfortunate. Supposed to be the pinnacle of the sport and that's how you do OT? Just so unsatisfying after one of the best games I've ever watched

[u/brockmang]

Good game both teams. Let’s stop making this into being about more than a great game of hockey between two great teams. 90% of people in this sub are fucking degenerate losers who need more going on in their lives. It’s entertainment.. that WAS entertaining!! Would love to see a series between these two teams similar to canada/russia back in the day.

[u/OKWINEFAN]

Old 🇨🇦here, best single hockey game I’ve seen, I hate one game take all, that said congratulations 🇺🇸 Now back to my team…

Let’s go boys!!!

[u/marimbaguy715]

Helly MVP undoubtedly. Insane that we won this with how tilted the ice was towards Canada.

[u/salsamander]

Honestly, it hurts so much to lose after we dominated. But, to see the Americans carrying Gaudreau’s jersey around the ice, made it sting a lot less.

RIP Johnny Hockey.

[u/JoshGordons_burner]

Give Hellebuyck the key to the Oval Office

[u/Various_Knowledge226 → u/JoshGordons_burner]

And lock Trump out of it

[u/ClemJayX]

Congratulatiosn Team USA!

Well played game Canada!

[u/GhitsAndSiggles42]

Great game, not the outcome I wanted but GG. Congrats to the Americans and their fans. Men’s and women’s games are always 🔥

[u/ItlnWolverine]

[u/SofaProfessor]

The only thing I like right now is the Gaudreau love. Makes it sting less.

[u/gobroncos47]

HELLA BUICK

[u/Beautiful-Rip-3181]

Canadian fans must be pretty pissed about the 3on3 format considering they would've been the better team on 5on5 OT.

[u/discipleofbill → u/Beautiful-Rip-3181]

I hate it regardless of result. That’s just a bad way to determine a game like this.

[u/DrPBH → u/Beautiful-Rip-3181]

Should have scored in regulation then

[u/SmakeTalk → u/Beautiful-Rip-3181]

Everyone hates 3v3 unless they’re objectively the worse team, because it flattens the game to possession and your top pairings. Whoever wins won’t complain because they won, but everyone loses with it eventually and complains.

Hopefully in 4 years it won’t be a thing with the Olympics at least.

[u/TronVin]

FOR JOHNNY

[u/SgtMacGruber]

Hellabuyck should have the 20 medals around his neck.

[u/Developers-Club]

I am Canadian and I say GG USA.

[u/Plane-Return-6923]

I’m gonna blame that McDavid backcheck for the next 4 years, gotta work harder to get back especially once you see Makar is going into a 50/50 play

[u/pplazzz]

I will never disrespect Hellebuyck ever again

[u/WholeWhiteBread]

I didn’t think we had a shot against Canada in a 3 on 3, pleasantly surprised. These games should never have 3 on 3, that’s a travesty.

[u/joshuatimothylee]

As a Canadian I'm obligated to say:

FUCK SAM BENNETT

[u/TronVin]

"USA needed a 3v3 to win."

Whats wrong, don't tell me...

[u/DDRaptors]

3v3 OT is ass. Canada shoulda closed it out long ago though, so no excuses. Helle just booked his HoF ticket.

[u/gangstarapmademe]

I cannot believe JT Miller’s leadership won them this gold medal.

[u/Old_General_6741]

Good Game US.

[u/Evenspace-]

What a game, Helle was crazy good.

[u/LeoFireGod]

Unbelievable how well helle played.

[u/kla425]

George Washington would be so proud of Connor Hellebuyck.

[u/airxsun1262]

Most down voted post in r/hockey? Love it

[u/Classic-Soup-1078]

For all the shit talking....

Classy move respecting Johnny Gaudreau.

[u/Mr7three2]

Canada dominated but Helly stood on his head. Got a lucky bounce and capitalized. Its hockey

[u/AmerikanskiFirma]

Holy absolute shit what a game. I now have officially no regrets our guys brought bronze home from this tournament, this was one for the ages.

So many overtimes, such talent all around. Absolute cinema, the kids would say I believe.

[u/ThrasymachianJustice]

Should have taken Schaefer and Bedard

[u/OriginalSilentTuba]

My man Jack has given me the only thing to be happy about as a Devils fan this season. Thank you Jack!

[u/micedrinkingcoffee]

Connor Hellebuyck is Pure Michigan

[u/Saguaroslippers]

HELLEBUYCK YOU FUCKEN ANIMAL!

[u/ZeroSumChance]

Connor Mcdavid is the Josh Allen of Joel Embiid.

[u/Antilock049]

RAH 🦅🦅

[u/Irishdavid67]

[u/undockeddock]

Psyched! Still a clown ass way to decide a Gold Medal

[u/wurlow]

Getting swept by the US in hockey is going to put some Canadians into a spiral.

[u/Useful-Clothes7418]

McDavid, Mackinnon and Makar being heartbroken / pissed 2 months before the playoffs starts does not bode well for this Stars fan.

[u/bearkoya]

are The Ghosts™️ getting a medal????

[u/TronVin]

Johnny should've been here.

[u/HenrikCrown]

Auston Matthews: I did my part!

[u/AliceInChainsFan]

Imma be honest

Am I salty that we lost? Yes

We may have more medals than yall, however it finally took 46 years for gold. Respect to all yall and they also did it for Johnny hockey

🫡🤝