Photo credit: Amber Searles – Imagn Images.
The United States captured their first Olympic gold medal since 1980 on Sunday in Milan, defeating Canada in overtime and honoring the late Johnny Gaudreau after.
Six minutes into the first period, Minnesota Wild forward Matt Boldy opened the scoring, giving the United States a 1-0 lead, which they would hold until late in the middle frame when blueliner Cale Makar fired a shot past the blocker of Connor Hellebuyck to knot things up at one goal a piece.
Despite several scoring chances, including a wide open net for Nathan MacKinnon with ten minutes remaining in regulation, just like 2010 in Vancouver, the gold medal would be decided by overtime, although this time it was three-on-three.
Team USA honors Johnny Gaudreau after win over Canada in gold medal game
Less than two minutes into overtime, Jack Hughes received a pass from Zach Werenski and quickly put it five hole on Jordan Binnington, giving the United States their first Olympic gold medal since the Miracle on Ice team in Lake Placid back in 1980.
As has been the case since his unfortunate passing in August of 2024, the memory of Johnny Gaudreau remains with every single member of the United States roster, with his jersey hanging up in the locker room at last year’s IIHF World Championship and throughout the Winter Olympics.
“Johnny Gaudreau’s sweater hangs in Team USA’s locker room, while his family is in the stands for the gold medal game.
Johnny’s son, Johnny Jr., is celebrating his second birthday today ❤💙” ESPN shared.
Once the on-ice celebrations got underway, Johnny Gaudreau’s jersey was brought out, with Auston Matthews, Zach Werenski and Matthew Tkachuk skating around, holding it to the crowd.
“This was beautiful. Team USA brought Johnny Gaudreau’s jersey, where it was on display in its room. Today is Johnny Gaudreau Jr’s second birthday” Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said on X.
After receiving their medals, the United States gathered for a team picture at center, with Johnny Gaudreau’s children Noa and Johnny Jr. being brought onto the ice.
“Team USA brought Johnny Gaudreau’s kids onto the ice for the team picture. What a moment.” Alex Glaze of CBS Baltimore said.
It was an incredible 11 days of best-on-best hockey, and thankfully we won’t have to wait another 12 years to see that again, as the World Cup of Hockey is set for 2028, which the Vancouver Canucks are in the running to host, followed by the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps.
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily
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United States honor Johnny Gaudreau after defeating Canada in Olympic gold medal game
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