Connor Hellebuyck makes save of the tournament to keep USA's gold medal chances alive originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Despite some early-season struggles, Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is the league's best netminder. With three Vezina Trophies and a Hart Trophy as league MVP to his name, Hellebuyck is something of a living U.S. hockey legend.
He proved as much on Sunday morning, producing a treasure trove of acrobatic saves to anchor Team USA in its pursuit of gold against a dominant Canadian bunch.
No moment encapsulated his heroics better than an eye-catching stop he made partway through the third period -- a diving stop that could loom large in U.S. hockey lore.
Here's what you need to know.
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Connor Hellebuyck makes save of the tournament vs. Canada
The Canadians peppered Hellebuyck with everything he could handle through the opening two periods. With the score tied at one at the start of the third, they upped the ante, swiftly producing eight shots on goal before the Americans tallied two.
Hellebuyck was equal to all of them. He saved his best for a denial of Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews, who found himself in the crease with the goal gaping.
THAT WAS ONE HELLE-BUYCK OF A STOP. 😳 pic.twitter.com/N3wCimdBGw
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 22, 2026
Toews deflected an effort towards the cage. The strike appeared destined to ripple the net. But Hellebuyck -- out of position and stretching -- got his stick in front of the unruly shot.
The puck trickled away from Hellebuyck's residence, keeping the score level. Hellebucyk, the architect of more than 30 stops, relished the moment -- albeit only for a fleeting second.