Tate Mcrae at the center of backlash after U.S. hockey gold in Milan-Cortina

tate mcrae has become the unexpected focus of fan fury after the U. S. men’s hockey team beat Canada for the gold medal at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on February 22, 2026. The reaction highlights how a high-profile Olympic final, private romance rumors and social-media activity can collide weeks after on-ice drama in Milan.

Overtime win in Milan-Cortina and the game-winning goal

The Men’s Gold Medal match at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy, ended in a 2-1 overtime victory for the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games, with Jack Hughes delivering the game-winning goal. Jack Hughes (#86) and Quinn Hughes (#43) of Team United States celebrated the gold medal win after the overtime finish.

Romance rumors and public sightings in New York

Stories linking Jack Hughes — identified in coverage as a New Jersey Devils star forward — and Tate Mcrae intensified after the pair were seen cozied up together in New York City in November 2025. McRae attended Hughes’ first game after he suffered an injury at the end of 2025, and the combination of the dinner sighting and the game attendance has led more fans to believe the two are a couple; neither person or either camp has denied the pairing, and that silence has fed speculation that a romance could tilt McRae’s public fandom toward Team USA.

Tate Mcrae's social posts and a promotional video draw Canadian ire

On her Instagram account, Tate Mcrae posted a promotional video tied to the American television broadcast of the Olympics and Paralympics in Milan-Cortina aimed at U. S. viewers; that post has drawn jokes and facetious ire from fans, particularly in her native Canada. Comments on the video include user @natashbyy saying, “girl you’re canadian pls what is this” and user @serenasned writing, “Girl, we are Canadian, we do NOT cheer for team USA at winter sports, especially during times like these!!!”

Beyond barbed comments, some users have taken more punitive steps: screenshots circulated showing Canadians blocking the artist on social platforms and urging others to do the same, and some voices called for a broader boycott of McRae’s work. Other fans framed their reaction as jest or disappointment over Canada’s loss rather than sustained hostility. McRae was also active on social media on Valentine’s Day, and those posts did not reference Hughes in any way.

Team USA run-up, clutch reputation for Hughes and related headlines

Coverage of Team USA’s tournament form included a lopsided early result and a close contest later: the men’s side is noted as having dominated Latvia by a score of 5-12 and was described as battling Denmark, winning 4-3 in the third period in another match. Writers have suggested Hughes might be the difference maker for the U. S. given a track record of coming up big in clutch situations.

Separate itemized headlines surrounding the Hughes family and figures at the Games also circulated: a line referenced Quinn Hughes’ rumored girlfriend Olivia Bonn hinting at an Olympics absence with a new post, and another related headline contrasted Livvy Dunne outshining Tate McRae at an NHL game in a red fit with boyfriend Paul Skenes. Those items ran alongside the dating-rumor coverage that framed McRae as a global music sensation whose presence at Hughes’ return games and public appearances has fueled attention.

Born in Calgary, the national reaction and a journalist note

Born in Calgary, Alberta, the Canadian singer-songwriter is at the core of this national backlash over perceived favoritism toward Team USA in a historic hockey matchup. Some fans framed their comments as lighthearted disappointment while others used harsher language or took blocking actions; one closing note in commentary expressed hope the tension would fizzle out soon and that fans could return to enjoying both sports and music across the U. S. -Canadian border.

Amanda Vining is named in context as a career journalist with over 20 years of experience covering news for digital publications.