Men's Olympic Games Gold medal hockey recap

The Olympic Games came to a close with a thrilling gold medal game between the United States and Canada.

The Canadians were favored to maintain their dominance over the hockey world thanks to their lethal lineup of elite NHL scorers, while the Americans entered looking to upset a juggernaut, avenge their loss in 2010, and win their first Olympic gold in 46 years.

Luckily, for the Americans, Canada would be missing their captain and Olympic hero, Sidney Crosby, who scored the overtime winner last time these teams played for Olympic gold.

The first period started with a strong Canada forecheck, which left Bo Horvat and Seth Jarvis uncovered deep in the zone. USA goalie Connor Hellebuyck quickly bounced between the posts to wall off Horvat’s one-timer and Jarvis’ rebound chance.

Immediately after, the teams pushed and shoved more than usual for the Olympics, showing everyone that there was no hate lost since last year’s Four Nations faceoff brawl.

The physicality continued with Tom Wilson rocking Dylan Larkin behind the net, solidifying his spot as Canada’s enforcer. A minute later, the Americans would answer with a goal.

Auston Matthews stole the puck from Nathan MacKinnon and fed it to Matt Boldy. Boldy bounced the puck through Canada’s top defensive pair of Cale Makar and Devon Toews, then capitalized on their slow backskating to get their first and neutralize Toews with a mean stick lift.

He finished the job by going forehand-backhand-five hole to beat Jordan Binnington and give Team USA the 1-0 lead.

The first period would end rather evenly with both teams posting 8 shots on goal, but the second period would see Canada gain the momentum advantage. On a 5-on-3 power-play, Macklin Celebrini fired a one-timer stopped by Hellebuyck, jumping into the perfect position.

Immediately following, Brad Marchand had a wide-open backdoor chance, but couldn't receive the pass cleanly. Finally, a downed Hellebuyck recovered just in time to stop a point-blank shot from Marchand.

The long power play had ended without a score thanks to Hellebuyck, but Canada was buzzing. With 1:44 left in the second period, an unchecked Cale Makar sniped the top corner to tie it up. Canada would take 19 shots on goal in that period and lead the totals 27-16.

In the third, Canada piled on the pressure, but Hellebuyck had all the answers. While outstretched, he reached desperately with his stick to turn away Devon Toews with the cage yawning. On a Celebrini breakaway, he reacted in a flash to close the five-hole, then poked away the rebound chance.

Binnington would answer Hellebuyck with a highlight save of his own. During a four-minute USA power play, he looked like a gymnast at the summer Olympics, pulling off the splits to deny Matthew Tkachuk.

A late push by Canada came up empty, though it was clear they had the Americans on the ropes, leading the shot totals 41-26. Just like the Women’s gold medal game, this rivalry would need overtime.

Early in the extra frame, McDavid zoomed past Jack Hughes, but Hellebuyck put up a brick wall to prevent him from repeating his Four Nations glory. Zack Werenski backhanded the puck ahead to Jack Hughes, who barely tipped it past Cale Makar to prevent a turnover and subsequent 2-on-0 for Canada.

It quickly became a 3-on-1 chance for the Americans. Werenski turned on the jets to beat Mackinnon to a loose puck, then shrugged him off to make a perfect pass to a wide-open Hughes, who went five-hole to win the gold. After battling injuries all season in the NHL and losing a front tooth, he said it was brotherhood that delivered the win for America.

Team USA finished the tournament undefeated and captured its first gold medal since the Miracle on Ice. Their physicality triumphed over the offensive powerhouse of Canada in an upset for the ages. Most importantly, Connor Hellebuyck silenced the doubters, stopping 41 of 42 shots and earning undisputed player of the game honors in the final.

Gabe Eisenberg is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email gfe5080@psu.edu