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The extended anticipation for elite global hockey talents to participate in an international competition fully met expectations.
Out of the seven elimination matches held during the Milano Cortina Olympics in Italy, four progressed beyond regulation time, such as the thrilling and competitive championship game where the United States defeated Canada for the gold. Hockey garnered considerable attention with the National Hockey League’s re-entry into the Olympic Games after a twelve-year hiatus.
U.S. forward Vincent Trocheck commented that this level of play is unparalleled, emphasizing that organizers should continue hosting such events.
Indeed, that is the intended course of action.
An accord exists between the professional league, the players’ association, and the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) for participation in the 2030 event located in the French Alps, contingent upon concluding an arrangement with the International Olympic Committee.
However, the subsequent opportunity for an elite, national team rivalry tournament is approaching swiftly, with the Hockey World Cup scheduled for February 2028.
The National Hockey League and its Players’ Association exhibit strong alignment on numerous matters, notably their objective to create a global schedule featuring this style of tournament biennially. The IIHF also supports this initiative.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman stated that the sport of hockey benefits significantly when both the NHLPA and the league cooperate, and furthermore, globally, when these three governing bodies engage in joint efforts.
He added that such collaboration provides avenues to expand the sport into regions where its presence is not as robust as in North America, expressing anticipation for continued teamwork with IIHF president Luc Tardif to further hockey’s development. Bettman emphasized that this expansion is the ultimate objective, and increased collective action will yield superior outcomes for all involved.
This event marked the sixth time NHL athletes participated in the Olympics, a tradition that began in 1998 in Nagano, Japan. The decision to skip the 2018 games and the disruption of the 2022 games due to the global health crisis led many observers in Milan to voice their regret; however, paradoxically, this hiatus may have intensified appreciation for the return.
Canadian defender Drew Doughty remarked on the substantial time gap since the prior occurrence, expressing a desire that circumstances hadn’t unfolded in such a manner, yet acknowledging the current reality.
For the inaugural occasion, the United States secured the men’s hockey gold medal in an NHL-inclusive Olympics, thereby halting Canada’s streak of two consecutive victories and three wins out of the last four tournaments. This represented the nation’s first gold since the legendary 1980 “Miracle on Ice,” although the truly extraordinary aspect of this particular triumph was attributed to American goaltender Connor Hellebuyck’s exceptional display, arguably one of the finest in global hockey annals.
The American netminder, Connor Hellebuyck, employed his stick’s paddle to prevent a goal from Canada’s Devon Toews during the third period, maintaining a 1-1 tie in the Olympic men’s gold-medal hockey match.
Jack Hughes, who netted the decisive overtime goal despite having lost a tooth or two from an earlier stick impact to his face, stated that Hellebuyck was their most outstanding performer by a significant margin.
Hughes’ winning shot occurred under two minutes into the three-on-three extra period, a format choice in Milan that attracted considerable disapproval and is expected to be revised for future contests — specifically for the championship game and likely for the NHL and NHLPA-organized World Cup.
According to Canada’s coach Jon Cooper, utilizing a three-on-three overtime format rather than the traditional five-on-five used in NHL playoff deciders no longer truly represents the sport of hockey.
Cooper elaborated, indicating that the implementation of overtime and shootouts, as seen in regular season league play, is primarily influenced by television broadcast requirements to conclude games within a set timeframe. He highlighted that this three-on-three format is absent from the Stanley Cup Final or playoff rounds for distinct reasons.
Jack Hughes, representing the United States, achieves a 2-1 overtime triumph against Canada in the men’s Olympic hockey final for the gold medal.
In the aftermath of the American triumph, and prior to any celebratory drinks, the victorious athletes expressed no objections regarding the outcome or process.
Brock Nelson commented, “At this moment, I consider it splendid.”
