MILAN, Feb 22 : For a nation that measures itself in hockey gold, Sunday’s heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to the United States in overtime was more than a lost final, it was a symbolic shift in a rivalry Canada has long considered its own to win-
Canada, owners of nine Olympic men’s hockey titles to the Americans’ three, is a country whose national identity is intertwined with the sport. Losing hurts, doesn’t matter who it’s to,” Canada’s coach Jon Cooper said. “I look at this game, I’m so proud of what went on. I’m proud of our country. I’m proud of our players and proud of our team.
“At the end, you’re going to read in a book that in 2026 USA won the gold in Olympic hockey and Canada won the silver. I think in the grand scheme, the big winner of this tournament was ice hockey.”Back home, bleary-eyed Canadians had nursed beers before breakfast, bars opening as early as 5 a.m. on the west coast as a nation gathered in hope.
Instead, they watched the U.S. celebrating, and Canada left to swallow a rare heartbreak on hockey’s biggest stage, and on the heels of Canada’s women’s team losing gold to the U.S. in overtime.
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