As the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games came to a close, U.S. hockey was having a historic weekend.
On Thursday, Feb. 19, after going undefeated in their tournament, the U.S women’s hockey team faced their longtime Canadian rivals to duke it out for gold. The game marked the third time the women’s team would battle Canada in the Winter Olympics since the 2018 games in PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games, where they took home the church’s money.
Canada’s Kristin O’Neil was the first to break the ice with her breakaway just 54 seconds into the second period, scoring the first goal of the game. But with that fluke, American goaltender Aerin Frankel shut the door, denying shot after shot — totaling a remarkable 30 saves.
Hilary Knight later tied the game, keeping the U.S. hopes alive. Regulation then came and went as both teams entered overtime. Four minutes seven seconds into overtime, Megan Keller slipped past Canadian defenders and secured the program’s third gold medal.
Three days later, the U.S men’s hockey team followed suit with its own overtime game against the men’s Canadian hockey team. Initially considered underdogs in the matchup, the Americans were destined for success thanks to goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who made an astonishing 41 saves.
With Matt Boldy’s first goal for the U.S. six minutes into the first period, the U.S. started off strong, only then to be stuck in a back-and-forth battle, which ended with less than two minutes left in the second period by Canada’s Cale Makar when he tied the game. With tension high going into overtime, the U.S.’s Jack Hughes left a few teeth on the ice in exchange for some Canadian tears, as he secured gold for Team USA with a game-winning goal just one minute and 41 seconds into overtime.
The medal, just like the women’s team, was the program’s third gold medal win, but the U.S. men’s team hadn’t won since the legendary “Miracle on Ice” in the 1980 Lake Placid Olympic Winter Games against the Soviet Union.
Despite both teams’ patriotism and display of elite athleticism, American politics soon grounded viewers back to reality.
Following the men’s victory, Kash Patel, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, made a surprise appearance in the locker room, celebrating with the players. And while some might see this as a wholesome moment — complete with Patel turning fraternal, spraying beer on the players and joining in the chants — others question the moment.
The controversy only grew as President Donald Trump phoned the men’s team to personally congratulate them and invite the men to attend the State of the Union address as guests of honor. During the call, he said, “I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team. I do believe I’d probably be impeached if the women’s team wasn’t invited.”
The comment quickly drew backlash online, with critics calling it dismissive and unnecessary — particularly given that the women had already secured their own gold medal days earlier without similar fanfare.
In response, the women’s team issued a statement thanking officials for the invitation but declining due to previously scheduled academic and professional commitments.
Meanwhile, appearing on “Good Morning America,” Jack Hughes and his brother Quinn Hughes confirmed that the men would accept the president’s invitation but shared their respect for the women’s team.