Auston Matthews is carving out a legacy as potentially the greatest goal scorer the United States has ever produced. Yet, in Sunday's Olympic gold medal game, Matthews made an unexpected decision-he passed up a prime shooting opportunity.
With a clear path to the net, the Toronto Maple Leafs and U.S. captain opted for an unselfish play. Spotting a chance to set up a teammate for a tap-in, Matthews chose to pass. Unfortunately, the play didn’t pan out, and the decision quickly became a talking point.
Social media lit up with comparisons to Ben Simmons, the former Philadelphia 76ers star known for his reluctance to shoot in crucial moments, leading to some memorable memes.
Despite the missed opportunity, Matthews has been a force on the ice, contributing significantly on both ends. As Team USA continues its quest for gold, Matthews will likely seize any future chances to capitalize on his scoring prowess.
The stakes are high, and Matthews knows it’s time to take the shot.