The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics will end on Sunday with an exciting confrontation between Canada and the United States in the men's ice hockey final. Duels between the two countries in this sport have always been an exceptional occasion, given the fierce competition between them even before the first Winter Games in 1924. But tension has intensified against the backdrop of political differences, caused by the verbal attacks of US President Donald Trump in recent months regarding Canada.
Published on: 02/22/2026 - 11:12
The final will be between Canada and the United States in the men's ice hockey competition as the closing package of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games. The "Dream Final" will be held on Sunday afternoon in the Sant'Giulia Hall in Milan, marking the last title awarded at these Milan-Cortina Games.
The confrontation will be a clash given the interest and attention it arouses in both countries, the two arch-enemies who won the semi-finals over Finland (3-2) and Slovakia (6-2), respectively, on Friday.
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Fierce competition between the two countries
The match between Canada and the United States in ice hockey has always been a pinnacle in itself, given the fierce rivalry between the two countries that dates back to before the first Winter Olympics in 1924.
But the tension between them intensified against the backdrop of political differences caused by the verbal attacks launched by US President Donald Trump against Canada since his return to the White House in January 2025.
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Three clashes within nine seconds
The last match between the two teams, months ago in Montreal, witnessed a tense atmosphere, with Canadian fans jeering during the American anthem, in addition to three clashes on the ice within... just nine seconds of play.
What increases the excitement of this confrontation in the final of the Olympic Games is the participation of a number of the game’s most prominent stars thanks to the return of NHL players after an absence of 12 years.
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Twelve years is also how long it has been since Canada's last Olympic title (whose team has a record nine Olympic gold medals). In 2014, the hockey country maintained its title in Sochi (Russia), four years after defeating the United States in Vancouver (3-2) thanks to a goal from the legend Sidney Crosby in overtime, while he was still on the team.
Canada faced fierce resistance from Finland, the 2022 Olympic champion, as after trailing 0-2, they turned the score around and scored the winning goal through Nathan MacKinnon, the best player in the NHL in 2024, with 35 seconds left.
The Americans, who easily surpassed Slovakia, will not miss that the Canadians also suffered in the quarterfinals against the Czech Republic (4-3).
Connor McDavid, currently considered the best player in the world, leads the Canadian team in Crosby's absence.
With AFP
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