It has long been said that
there is no such thing as a perfect picture. That has now been proven untrue. The
photo of Team USA’s Jack Hughes, missing teeth, blood coming out of his mouth
and wrapped in an American flag with his fist in the air is perfection. When he
picked himself up off the ice and scored the winning goal for the Americans in
overtime, much of the country leapt up and shouted as one, “Oh, puck yeah!!”
This win, against the favored Canadians, came exactly 46 years after the
Miracle on Ice, on Washington's Birthday, during America's 250th anniversary
year, against another socialist country’s squad that was also appropriately
clad in red, leaving Canadians blue. And the men's victory came just two days
after the women did the same thing, beating Canada 2-1, the same score, also in
overtime. And each team rejoiced in their hard-fought victory and reveled in
what they did for their country. These two teams, along with wonderfully
effervescent Alysa Liu, saved these winter Olympic Games for me. Speaking of
saves, Connor Hellebuyck saved the game for the Americans. (I wonder what kind
of reception he will get upon his return to the Winnipeg Jets. Talk about bittersweet.)
Perhaps Hellebuyck could be brought to Washington, D.C., to see to the passage
of the SAVE act. That would be his biggest save of all, even eclipsing the one
he made against Toews.
Bars and restaurants across
the country (and in Canada too, of course) opened early, some by 5:00 or 6:00
AM, to accommodate throngs of hockey fans. Everyone knew this meant something.
When Hughes scored to win it for the United States, it meant more to me
than I thought it would. It brought back feelings of the 1980 Miracle on Ice
game and the subsequent gold medal game. It made me feel like I did then, and
again for a while after 9/11-- that we as a nation were together again, that we
were proud of who we are and who we were again. I know that this isn't really the
case, and that this was only a game. But my heart yearns to believe that, as in
1980, this could be the start of a kind of American Renaissance. I know I was
not the only one inspired by our men’s and women’s hockey teams and their
exhibition of determination, joy, class, and patriotism. (Speaking of passion
and excellence, Mike Tirico’s postgame summation was also truly outstanding, as
was the rest of his peerless work during these games. What a consummate
professional. Kudos, Sir.)
Somebody on ‘X’ stated that Hellebuyck
should never again have to buy a beer while in the United States, saying that
we would be a “failed society” if that were to occur. And let's hope the
magnificent goalie will be greeted with a standing ovation when he takes the
ice in Pittsburgh against the Penguins on February 26th.
Hockey is just different.
Hockey players are just different. In a good way. They just are.
The United States is just
different, too. In a good way. It just is. And these professionals, laying it
all on the line for their teammates and country, risking their careers and
their family’s financial security, just reminded us all of that fact.
And all of that shown thru
in that incredible picture of Jack Hughes, American.
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