Jack Hughes scored at 1:41 of overtime Sunday and the United States defeated Canada 2-1 for the gold medal at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
It’s the first men’s gold medal for Team USA since the 1980 Miracle on Ice.
Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets was the star of the game, making 40 saves.
Hughes (New Jersey Devils) during the three-on-three OT, skated in the zone, took a pass from Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets) and fired the puck past Jordan Binnington (St. Louis Blues). Hellebuyck also assisted on the goal.
Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin, who played a key role for the U.S. throughout the tournament, was on the ice during the golden goal but did not figure in the scoring while logging 16:24 in ice time. Larkin had scored a goal in each of the previous two games.
Matt Boldy of the Minnesota Wild opened the scoring at 6:00 of the first period with a terrific individual play. He skated the puck in the zone, pushed it ahead while splitting through Colorado Avalanche defensemen Devon Toews and Makar and sliding a backhand shot past Binnington.
Makar tied it with 1:44 remaining in the second period by whipping a shot past Hellebuyck from the faceoff dot. Bo Horvat won an offensive-zone face-off from Auston Matthews, getting the puck to Toews, who set up Makar.