Zach Werenski had a perfect Olympic run for team USA, and he did it for the very best reason

In case you have been living under a rock, allow me to break the news to you: Team USA won the gold medal in men's hockey today, defeating the Canadians in a thrilling overtime finish.

They were outplayed for long stretches of the game, but the Americans did not wilt. Despite Matt Boldy making it a 1-0 game early in the first period; this game always felt like a runaway for Canada.

They dominated puck possession and peppered the USA net with 42 shots on goal. But Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck played one of the best games of his career, stopping all but one shot en-route to the big win.

It would take overtime to find a winner in this one. And, for the first time maybe in either country's history, the Americans were not at a massive disadvantage from a talent perspective. We saw that firsthand on the overtime winner, where the third unit rolled out and beat some of the best Canada had to offer.

Zach Werenski made it happen.

If I were writing the script, I don't think I could have written it any better. Before the tournament, I mentioned that Zach playing in a secondary role for this team would be the best outcome-especially if they were somehow able to win gold.

That came to full fruition, with the added bonus of #8 setting up the winner. Werenski was used mostly sparingly, with Quinn Hughes dominating the ice time on the left side for team USA.

With Jaccob Slavin playing on the second pair, Zach was utilized as the team's #5 defenseman for all intents and purposes. What a luxury it must be to have the Norris Trophy favorite on your third pairing...

But, when the game was on the line, the team USA coaching staff had no choice but to roll out Zach Werenski early in overtime. After Hughes took the first shift, Charlie McAvoy was second. Then, it was time for #8 to take this game over.

With the Canadians continuing to press and take chances, team USA needed someone to step up and make a play. Many assumed it might be a defenseman. The broadcast seemed set on it being Quinn Hughes.

With the ice time usage being what it was, who can blame them for forgetting one thing: team USA had another elite blue liner at their disposal. When Zach Werenski hit the ice, it was only a matter of time before the Americans had an odd-man chance with the puck.

They lost it briefly, but against one of the game's most elite players, Zach did not back down. He outmuscled Nathan MacKinnon, knocking him off of the puck. Then, he had the presence of mind to look up and find a streaking Jack Hughes, who fired home the winner.

Folks, that's not just any player that Zach beats on this play. That's the second leading scorer in the NHL. A player who is known as "Nate Dogg" because of his bulldog-like style of physically outmatching people.

On this day, Zach Werenski was not taking no for an answer. And, he had good reasons to come into this game with that mindset.

They did it for Johnny.

After the bench cleared in celebration, and after the medals were handed out, it did not take long for things to get emotional. Team USA took a team photo, then stopped the procession while Werenski and his childhood friend Dylan Larkin went into the crowd.

When they came back to the ice with Johnny's two oldest kids for another team photo-#13 jersey in tow-it was a beautiful tribute to a guy who would have definitely been a part of this celebration on this night, if not for tragedy striking in August of 2023.

If this doesn't hit you right in the feels, check your pulse.

Johnny inspired a generation of hockey players, but what really makes this special is just how much he meant to every single player on this team as a person. It was for that reason, with the Gaudreaus in attendance, that team USA found the extra bit of motivation to get over the hump and win Gold in Milan.

I'd like to think that Zach's ability to win that puck battle was done with a slight helping hand from above. If nothing else, we know where his heart was in that moment. We could not be more proud for Zach Werenski and team USA on this day.