D2: The Mighty Ducks

Gordon Bombay suffers a career-ending knee injury that ends his prospects in professional hockey and forces him to return to his hometown of Minneapolis. He shifts from playing to coaching, confronting the reality that his future lies off the ice. This return sets the stage for his new role guiding young players.

Bombay is offered the chance to coach a team representing the United States at the Junior Goodwill Games in Los Angeles. He reunites most of his former Ducks players, and even the Hawks' Fulton Reed switches sides to join the Ducks. The Hawks’ plan for revenge is foiled as Reed defects to the Ducks.

Under Bombay's coaching, the Ducks veterans reunite with five new players recruited from across the country to form Team USA. The squad includes players such as Luis Mendoza, Dwayne Robertson, Julie Gaffney, Ken Wu, and Dean Portman, each bringing a distinct skill. The team begins to gel as they prepare for the LA tournament.

In Los Angeles, Team USA cruises to easy victories over Trinidad and Tobago and Italy in the double-elimination rounds. The early wins boost confidence, though the strain of the tournament begins to show on the players. Bombay keeps the team focused as they advance.

The team suffers a brutal 12-1 defeat to Iceland, coached by Wolf Stansson. Banks is slashed in the wrist after scoring Team USA's lone goal, and star centers Portman and Gaffney are ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct. The loss exposes the team's fragility under pressure.

With practice and academics slipping, Bombay's players are exhausted and unfocused. Their tutor, Michelle McKay, intervenes, cancels practice, and confronts Bombay about neglecting the players' schooling and well-being. The team regroups and resumes training with renewed balance.

The team meets street hockey ace Russ Tyler, who impresses them with the knucklepuck—a shot that spins oddly and confounds goalies. His skill and attitude inject a new confidence and approach to the Ducks' play. The players begin to play more like a cohesive unit, embracing a tougher style.

Jan, brother of Bombay's mentor Hans, visits and reminds him of his love for hockey. The visit rekindles Bombay's passion and renews his resolve to lead the team with integrity. This personal moment becomes a turning point in his leadership.

In the Germany match, Bombay is late, forcing Charlie to serve as assistant coach while the team fights to stay in the game. They enter the third period tied, then Bombay arrives, apologizes, and the team fights back with renewed energy to win and advance. Their resurgence showcases the Flying V and Team USA's resilience.

To fill an available roster spot, Bombay benches Banks due to his wrist injury and Charlie recruits Russ Tyler, whose knucklepuck proves pivotal in defeating Russia. The change solidifies Team USA's path toward the championship. The team now has a full roster and renewed momentum.

Banks returns from injury with full rosters ready for the final stretch. Charlie selflessly gives up his spot, accepting leadership as captain and helping coach the team alongside Bombay. Bombay then formally brings Charlie onto the coaching staff.

In the championship game, Iceland initially dominates as penalties mount for the Ducks. Bombay notes the mounting chaos and prepares his team for a radical comeback. The tension peaks as Iceland leads late in the game and the Ducks fight to turn the tide.

A rousing locker room speech from Bombay is followed by Jan presenting new Ducks jerseys to boost morale. The team retools with a renewed sense of purpose and unity. The reinvigorated squad heads back onto the ice with fresh energy.

The game goes to a five-shot shootout, with Jesse, Guy, Fulton, and Banks scoring. Gunnar Stahl is stopped in the final shot, and Julie reveals the game-winning save glove trick with the knucklepuck from Russ's earlier move. The Ducks win 4–3 to claim the tournament crown.

The Ducks return to Minnesota, and the team celebrates with a chorus of Queen's 'We Are the Champions' around a campfire. The victory marks a new era of teamwork and leadership for Bombay and his Ducks. The community joyfully embraces the team's success and camaraderie.