The Gold(s) that got away

Memphis Litman

OLYMPIC OBSERVERS | Student perspectives on the business, politics and culture of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games.

Heartbreak in Milan

When Jack Hughes shot the puck past Jordan Binnington in overtime of the men’s Olympic gold medal hockey game on February 22, the hearts of millions across Canada shattered simultaneously. To make matters worse, it was déja vu for Canada, who also lost the women’s gold medal game three days earlier when Megan Keller’s golden goal gave the Americans a 2-1 victory, also in overtime.

Much can be said about the appropriateness of 3-on-3 overtime in a gold medal game, or the fact that some of Canada’s biggest stars were sidelined with injury. Regardless, both Canadian hockey teams return home from Milan with silver medals around their necks. Unlike in most countries, a silver medal in ice hockey is tantamount to failure in Canada.

“It’s really disappointing, especially with the group we had,” said Macklin Celebrini. The North Vancouver native who made his Olympic debut at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Games, perfectly captured the national sentiment following the loss: in the eyes of many Canadians, when it comes to hockey, the podium has only one acceptable level.

The burden of dominance

Canadians have become accustomed to their national teams being the best. Prior to this year’s Olympic Games, Canada’s men’s team had won every “best on best” hockey tournament since 2006, and the women’s team had won five golds in the last six winter Olympics.

When teams are used to winning gold, silver begins to feel like not only an underachievement, but a failure. This year’s result, alongside recent struggles in the men’s World Junior Championship and women’s Rivalry Series are indicative of a harsh reality: Canada may no longer be the undisputed “top dog” in international hockey.

A Team Canada player tries to score on Team USA’s goaltender during the gold medal game in Women’s Ice Hockey at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

Team Canada’s Sarah Fillier (10) tries to score on Team USA’s goaltender during the gold medal game in Women’s Ice Hockey at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Livigno, Italy. Photo by Leah Hennel/COC *MANDATORY CREDIT*

A media-manufactured identity?

This sense of failure raises a deeper question: why does a game played on ice feel so central to our national soul? Our seeming obsession with hockey is often explained by the sport being woven into our cultural identity. This, however, is not an inherent reality, but rather a constructed narrative reinforced by the media for the better part of a century.

Media outlets like CBC and Sportsnet have framed broadcasts like Hockey Night in Canada as unifying national rituals that allow Canadians to feel like they’re a part of something bigger than themselves. By framing the game’s values—hard work, resilience and toughness—as representative of the very people watching on Saturday nights, the media has manufactured the idea of the sport being “ours.” This is why failing to win gold feels less like a sports loss and more like a loss of identity.

A bright, but uncertain, future

Despite the weight of these cultural myths the future of Canadian hockey remains bright. By portraying hockey as central to Canadian identity, the media has encouraged young Canadian athletes to pursue greatness in the sport. Connor McDavid, Sarah Fillier and Nathan MacKinnon are showing no signs of slowing down. And thanks to rising superstars like Celebrini, Connor Bedard and Daryl Watts, Canadian the future of Canadian hockey is in good hands.

The primary concern for Team Canada heading toward the 2030 Olympics is a "changing of the guard." With legendary captains Sidney Crosby and Marie-Philip Poulin nearing the end of their careers, the program faces a leadership vacuum. Who steps into their place remains to be seen.

No matter who wears the maple leaf in the French Alps, however, they will arrive determined to dethrone the United States and reclaim their place atop the podium—attempting once again to align the reality of the game with the myth of the nation.

About this series

This article is part of a collaborative series produced by students in KPER 4110: The Olympics and the Global Sporting Event within the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management at the University of Manitoba.

Throughout the Winter 2026 term, students are exploring the complex intersection of elite athletics, geopolitical influences and the socio-economic impact of the Olympic movement. By analyzing the Milano Cortina 2026 Games in real-time, this series provides a hands-on opportunity for students to connect classroom learning and the global sporting reality.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the student author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Manitoba or the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management.

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