With National Hockey League (NHL) players back in the Olympics for the first time since a devastating 2014 loss to Canada, the U.S. Men’s Hockey team sought redemption in Milan last week. Thanks to a talented roster that included captain Auston Matthews and Vezina-winning goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck, the U.S. took down Canada on Feb. 22 to win their first ice hockey gold medal in 46 years.

Despite the strengths of Team Canada, anchored by NHL powerhouses Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and captain Sidney Crosby, the U.S. squad carried themselves with an indomitable chemistry. Much of the Olympic team’s energy comes from its two sets of brothers: New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes and defenseman Quinn Hughes, as well as back-to-back Stanley Cup winners Matthew Tkachuk and Brady Tkachuk.

The United States carried this freight train of a roster into play with no stops, breezing through the group stage of the tournament to win 5-1, 6-3 and 5-1 over Latvia, Denmark and Germany, respectively. They earned an automatic advance to the quarterfinal round, where they matched up against Sweden in an unexpectedly competitive game that went to overtime. The Swedes’ medal aspirations didn’t last long, as Quinn Hughes sniped one in off the post to send the U.S. on to play Slovakia in the semifinals.

The Americans showed up strong once again, winning by a landslide of 6-2 after Jack Hughes netted two for the Americans alongside Brady Tkachuk, who scored his third of the tournament.

In the final game, against Canada, the U.S. recognized the opportunity to claim their first Olympic gold since 1980. With Canadian captain Sidney Crosby out injured, the U.S. came out hot. First-line winger Matt Boldy scored six minutes into the game, giving the U.S. an early advantage. 

Supported by the strong United States defense led by Quinn Hughes, Connor Hellebuyck kept the puck out of the net for the entire first period. The defensive effort continued until the Canadian pressure finally broke at under two minutes left in the second, with 2025 Norris winner Cale Makar tying the U.S.’s lead at 1.

A scoreless yet eventful third period brought the teams to overtime once again. After early Canadian dominance, a pass from Zach Werenski found Jack Hughes wide open in the slot. The left-hander netted the game-winner through the five-hole of Canadian netminder Jordan Binnington, launching the U.S. into celebration as they took home the gold.

Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck finished the game with 41 saves and a .976% save percentage, recording a historic night in net. 

“Unbelievable game by Hellebuyck,” Jack Hughes said following the game. “He was our best player tonight by a mile.”

Carried by the Tkachuk brothers with 11 points and by the Hughes brothers with 15, the United States presented an entertaining new brand of hockey. Hopefully, fans will see both duos return in tournaments to come and when they go for gold again in four more years.