Usa Hockey Mens: Tkachuk says 'There's hatred' ahead of Olympic final
usa hockey mens rivals the US and Canada will meet for Olympic gold on Sunday at the 2026 Games, setting up a charged final after Brady Tkachuk’s remark that "there’s hatred there" and rising political tensions between the countries. The matchup matters now because NHL players are back at the Winter Games for the first time since 2014, meaning many top professionals will face each other in a single decisive contest.
Usa Hockey Mens rivalry heats up
Long-time rivals, the US and Canada are preparing for what is expected to be a stormy final. Canada enters as the betting favourite and holds the record for the most Olympic ice hockey gold medals; the US players have framed the game as an opportunity to displace that pedigree. Tkachuk captured that intensity with his comment that "there’s hatred there, " adding that Canada has been "the top dog" for years and that the US wants to be in that position.
The rivalry has sharpened recently amid broader political tensions between the two countries. At last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, Canadian fans booed the US anthem and multiple on-ice fights further escalated emotions. Canada’s captain acknowledged extra spice when his team plays the US, saying the matchup is the one "everybody wanted and hoped for" and that it now comes down to a single game between the two teams.
Captain's participation still uncertain
Canada’s captain remains a major uncertainty entering the final. The 38-year-old did not play in his team’s semi-final win over Finland because of a knee injury, and the coach has said a final call will be delayed until the last minute. The coach noted that the player skated in a session watched by staff and that the decision will be made in consultation, emphasizing that he "won't put himself in harm's way, and he will not put the team in harm's way. " That late decision is likely to be one of the pivotal elements shaping team strategy for the gold-medal game.
Momentum, recent wins and what to watch
Momentum from earlier in the tournament could influence the final. The US women beat Canada on Thursday to claim gold, a result that US players said added motivation for the men and raised the prospect of a national clean sweep. A US player noted the women's win and framed a men’s victory over Canada as completing a sweep for the country.
Historical context adds weight: the US men's last Olympic gold came in 1980, while Canada last won gold in 2014 after retaining the 2010 title. With NHL players competing at the Winter Games for the first time since 2014, the final will feature many of the world's top players in a single winner-take-all game. A late availability call on the Canadian captain and the teams' recent on-ice confrontations are the clearest observable indicators to watch as the two rivals prepare for the final.
For usa hockey mens fans, the outcome will resolve more than a championship: it will mark a moment in a rivalry intensified by recent events, present rosters stacked with NHL talent, and close a tournament shaped by narrow margins and late decisions.
