RED LIGHT AND BLUE

Jack Hughes' goal in OT and Hellebuyck's heroics give U.S. first gold since 'Miracle'

- KEVIN BAXTER

“WE’RE JUST so proud to be American and win,” said Jack Hughes, raising his arms after he gave the U.S. a 2-1 win to end an epic gold-medal final against Canada.

(Ryan Sun/Daily Trojan via Getty Images)

Talk about a closing ceremony.

The final medals of the Milan-Cortina Games were handed out Sunday, and these Olympics truly saved the best for last, with the U.S. men’s hockey team grabbing the last gold with an epic 2-1 overtime win over Canada.

Of course it went to overtime. How else should a U.S.-Canada final end?

Jack Hughes, left alone on the left wing, provided the winning goal 1:41 into overtime, beating Canadian goalie Jordan Binnington cleanly and setting off a wild celebration that left the ice littered with U.S. gloves, sticks and helmets. The Canadian players watched from the bench, many with their heads in their gloved hands.

U.S. goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who threw his hands in the air when the gold medal was hung around his neck, was spectacular throughout the tournament, even collecting the second assist on the winning goal. The other goals came from Matt Boldy, who gave the U.S. a lead early in the first period, and Cale Makar, who evened things for Canada late in the second.

The medal was the 33rd of these Games for the U.S. and the 12th gold, the most by an American team in the Winter Olympics. Two of those gold medals came in hockey, with the U.S. women also beating Canada in overtime of their final, marking the first time the Americans swept in Olympic hockey.

"We're just so proud to be American and win. We're so proud to win for our country," Hughes said. "They probably outplayed us a little bit tonight. Our goalie stood on his head though.

"To win gold here at the Olympics, just an unbelievable moment."