Milan Magic: Jack Hughes' Golden Moment
In a moment that will be etched in American hockey lore, Jack Hughes delivered a performance for the ages. With the American flag draped over his shoulders and a triumphant fist in the air, Hughes celebrated a golden goal against Canada in Milan. His face may have been a bloody mess, but his spirit shone brightly.
“Who cares at this point?” quipped Matt Boldy. “I think more people are looking at his medal than his teeth.”
Hughes was at the heart of the action during Team USA's thrilling 2-1 overtime victory. The New Jersey Devils center drew a crucial four-minute power play after Canada's Sam Bennett knocked out several of his teeth with a high stick.
Although Hughes himself later committed a high stick that cut the power play short, he redeemed himself in spectacular fashion. Winning two critical puck battles in his own zone, Hughes raced down the ice to bury a perfect feed from Zach Werenski, sealing the game with the biggest goal of his career.
Yet, it was Hughes' broken smile that captured everyone's attention.
“My first thought was, draw the penalty,” Hughes recalled. “Actually, my first thought was looking on the ice and seeing my teeth.”
The scene evoked memories of Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith, who famously lost seven teeth to a slap shot during the 2010 Western Conference final but missed just seven minutes of play, famously remarking, “Long way from the heart.”
Hughes didn’t miss a shift. In the world of hockey, teeth are just another casualty of the game.
“It’s pretty easy to move on,” said Vincent Trocheck. “You lose a lot of teeth as an NHLer. They get straighter as you lose them more.”
While the image of Hughes’ smile will linger, so too will the memory of his game-winning goal. Starting the tournament as a fourth-liner for Team USA, Hughes had battled back from a hand injury that had limited his NHL performance. In Milan, he found his form, netting four goals and three assists, with his final shot being the most memorable.
“He’s a freaking gamer,” said his brother, Quinn Hughes. “He’s always been a gamer.
Just mentally tough, been through a lot, loves the game. American hero.”
Jack Hughes' gritty determination and golden goal have secured his place in the annals of American hockey history, a testament to his resilience and love for the game.