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Zach Werenski made the play before The Play.
Team USA may not have won the gold medal in men's hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics without the Columbus Blue Jackets' superstar defenseman.
Jack Hughes made the final headline for his game-winning goal in overtime.
Connor Hellebuyck earned his deserved plaudits for his work in goal.
Werenski, though, is the guy who made the Hughes goal happen.
MORE: Jack Hughes, not a miracle, just magic
In the 3-on-3 overtime format, things change quickly, and Team Canada appeared to have a transition opportunity in order.
Somehow, though, Werenski stuck a stick out and deflected the puck back into the offensive zone for the Americans.
Then, he turned on the jets and got to the puck first. He squared himself up. He saw Hughes and placed a perfect pass on his stick. Hughes did the rest.
JACK HUGHES DELIVERS AMERICA'S GOLDEN MOMENT IN OVERTIME. pic.twitter.com/4foFDOri53
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 22, 2026MORE: Team USA honors Johnny Gaudreau in special way after gold medal
It's a moment that deserves just about as much praise as Hughes.
It's Eli Manning, evading a crazy pass rush before the David Tyree helmet catch.
It's Jarome Iginla, getting in position before feeding Sidney Crosby for the game winner in the 2010 gold medal game.
And now it's Werenski.
He'll be welcomed back to Columbus with a hero's reception. The Blue Jackets have known for a long time what they've had in Werenski.
And with a gold medal on the line, he showed it on Sunday in Milan.
Whenever that highlight is shown, it'll be Werenski hustling for the puck to make it happen. His legacy will always last in that moment.
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