The Santa Giulia Arena in Milan was a sea of red and white on Sunday, packed with 14,000 Canadian fans. They were there to watch their men’s national ice hockey team battle the United States for what many consider the most prestigious gold medal in Canadian sports.
This wasn’t just any game; it was played against a backdrop of increasing political friction between the U.S. and Canadian governments. For many Canadian fans who traveled to Milan for this marquee Winter Olympics event, the stakes felt exceptionally high. Magda Palczynska from Wolfsville, Nova Scotia, visibly felt the weight of the moment as she reflected on the game’s importance.
“Let’s be honest, this is a grudge match,” Palczynska declared, her husband nodding fervently beside her. She explained that Canadians felt insulted by perceived allies, making the game a deeply personal matter of national pride.
A striking image showed the U.S. men’s hockey team preparing to face Canada in the highly anticipated gold medal game in Milan.
Crowds of Canadian supporters in the arena clearly demonstrated how the ongoing political tensions with the United States heightened the significance of this Olympic contest.
Canada entered the game as the favorite, while the U.S. men’s team aimed to break a long gold medal drought, having not won since 1980.
This particular hockey final evoked memories of the 1980 Winter Games, when the U.S. famously defeated the Soviet Union – a contest also steeped in political overtones, and the last time the American men’s team claimed Olympic gold.
Before the puck dropped, the arena’s dance cam highlighted enthusiastic fans from both nations, waving flags and sporting their team colors. One American proudly displayed a jersey bearing ‘1980,’ a nod to the legendary year the U.S. achieved its ‘Miracle on Ice’ upset over the Soviet Union in Lake Placid, New York.
That 1980 victory was the last time men’s ice hockey held such profound political weight, and also the last time the U.S. men’s team secured the gold. (Canada’s men’s team last triumphed in 2014.) Notably, the U.S. women’s team had already claimed gold against Canada just days earlier.
Recognizing the charged atmosphere, a stadium announcer appealed for sportsmanship before warm-ups, asking fans not to disrespect the opposing team. The jumbotron displayed a message emphasizing the Olympic values of respect, friendship, and excellence, urging courtesy towards all — a notable display usually absent from events like figure skating or speedskating.
Despite the calls for civility, the U.S. team was met with audible boos during their warm-up skate. The Canadian contingent, however, received a roar of cheers that largely overshadowed any jeers. As the game progressed into the second period, the crowd engaged in alternating chants of “Let’s Go Canada!” and “U.S.A.!” The escalating tension wasn’t confined to the stands; players on the ice engaged in several skirmishes, pushing the boundaries of Olympic rules against fighting.
Throughout the arena, a striking number of Canadian fans proudly waved their national flags.
Outside the Santa Giulia Arena, American supporters gathered, ready to cheer on their team.
One Canadian fan perfectly encapsulated the sentiment, stating before the game, “It means more to us than it would normally.”
On the bustling plaza outside the arena, amidst fans queuing for refreshments and photo opportunities with the Olympic rings, Jeff Hunt, a 50-year-old hockey coach from Virginia, Minnesota, and Rick Lehecka, a 51-year-old retired business owner from Spring Grove, Illinois, secured their tickets a week prior, without knowing if the U.S. would reach the final.
“It’s like gambling — you have to take a chance, but we had faith,” Hunt remarked. He added that with Canada widely favored, being the underdog felt perfectly fine for the American supporters.
“We share borders, so we have to be friendly,” he continued, “but when it comes to hockey, this is serious business.”
They had splurged $2,600 per ticket for front-row seats, bringing Lehecka’s 14-year-old son, Kyron, a club team goalie, to witness the spectacle.
Lehecka, wearing a red “Make America Great Again” cap, insisted he didn’t view the match as political. However, he recalled Canadian fans booing the American national anthem during the Four Nations tournament in Montreal the previous year.
Even Tina, the Olympic mascot, was on hand, attempting to maintain a lighthearted atmosphere.
Indeed, securing a ticket for this high-stakes game was among the most challenging feats of the entire Winter Olympics.
True to the ‘grudge match’ atmosphere, several minor clashes erupted on the ice between players.
“I think they took it politically,” he observed. “I would never boo their national anthem. If they don’t like Trump, well, we elected him.”
Conversely, Canadian fans openly embraced the political dimension. Lloyd Tucker, a 67-year-old from Toronto, clad in full Team Canada attire, stated unequivocally, “It is political for us, absolutely. It never was, but it is now. It means more to us than it would normally. Hockey is the national sport, so if Canada doesn’t win the gold, it’s a profound loss.”