The four guys on the ice when USA scored the game-winning overtime goal in the men’s gold medal hockey game — a 2-1 victory over Canada on Sunday, Feb. 22 — all Michiganders.
That’s right. All Michiganders.
It was Canton’s Jack Hughes who scored the goal at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy in three-on-three play, just 1:41 into overtime. Hughes, who had his teeth cracked in the third period on a high-sticking call and looked positively adorable grinning from ear to ear for interviews after the game, plays for the NHL’s New Jersey Devils.
The pass came from Michigan alum Zach Werenski from Grosse Pointe Woods. Werenski plays in the NHL for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Connor Hellebuyck was in goal for USA. Hellebuyck, from Commerce Township, made many heroic saves to stave off the rivals from the north. He plays for the Winnipeg Jets in the NHL.
“It’s a dream come true,” Hellebuyck, the reigning NHL MVP, told NBC after the game.
The Detroit Red Wings own, captain Dylan Larkin, from Waterford Township also a Michigan alum, was also on the ice and skating through the middle lane, giving the U.S. a numbers advantage when Hughes took the shot.
Let’s relive that moment and all it’s glory.
“This is all about our country,” Hughes told NBC after the game. “I love the USA, I love my teammates. It’s unbelievable. The USA Hockey brotherhood is so strong.”
Just like the Michigan brotherhood.
And let us not forget the sisterhood of the USA women’s gold-medal winning team.
It was defender Megan Keller, from Farmington Hills, who scored on a breakaway in the 2-1 victory also in overtime, also vs. Canada, also to win the gold medal in the women’s game on Thursday, Feb. 19.
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