Avalanche stars whiff on chance to win gold medal in Milan
In a brutal loss for Canada, three members of the Colorado Avalanche failed to deliver in the clutch, as MacKinnon, Makar and Toews come up short
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It was the game everyone wanted to see. USA vs. Canada for the gold medal to cap off the Olympic Games in Milan. And it didn’t disappoint. Except for three members of the Colorado Avalanche.
American fans awoke early to watch their team pull off the win, capturing the country’s first gold medal in ice hockey since 1980. It was an epic, 2-1 overtime thriller, with Jack Hughes scoring the game-winning goal.
The Devils center was the hero. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was the star, keeping Team USA in the game with 41 saves, many in dazzling fashion. But it was three Avs who were arguably the biggest goats for Canada.
Nathan MacKinnon had a chance to put his team ahead. He missed a wide-open net.
Nathan Mackinnon didn't score here 🤯 pic.twitter.com/rT8OnDMufK
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) February 22, 2026
Devon Toews looked like he was going to be the hero for his country. But Hellebuyck made the save of his life to prevent the go-ahead goal.
CONNOR HELLEBUYCK, WE ARE NOT WORTHY 🥶 pic.twitter.com/zPKXyui7jr
— ESPN (@espn) February 22, 2026
And Cale Makar was on the ice when Hughes scored the game-winner. The Colorado defenseman couldn’t keep the puck in the zone and then was trailing the play when Team USA found the back of the net.
JACK HUGHES DELIVERS AMERICA'S GOLDEN MOMENT IN OVERTIME. pic.twitter.com/4foFDOri53
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 22, 2026
It was an amazing day for USA Hockey. It was a great way to cap the Olympic Games. But it was a brutal loss for Canada, with three Avalanche players failing to deliver in the clutch.
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Comments
3 Comments
Man, what a dog poo article, stay in your lane and write about the Broncos when they come back, hockey has never been your thing over there. Hockey fans will stick with Altirude. Much better.
Apparently he is also a dish it out but can’t take it guy as well. My first comment was deleted. He can call people chokers, and criticize their play, but can’t take any criticism back? Critique his article and get your comment deleted?
I will come at it differently then. I was born 6 months before the miracle on ice in 1980. I’ve seen the Avs win 3 cups and hopefully a fourth this year. Until today, I’ve never seen Team USA win the gold. Today we should have all just been Team USA fans. Enjoy the win and stop running to your keyboard to post something negative. As a Team USA fan, I’m happy as hell MacKinnon missed that. Bring this article at us if the same thing happens in a game 7. I’m surprised you didn’t find a way to try and get Bednar fired for this as well. I feel bad for you.
This is a best of both worlds in my opinion. I got to see USA win gold and maybe, just maybe this will light a fire under Mackinnon, Makar and Toews for another Cup run.