Former NASCAR and IndyCar star Danica Patrick has openly revelled in the United States men's hockey team's dramatic victory over Canada at the Winter Olympics, sparking a mix of celebration and controversy. On Sunday, Team USA secured its first men's hockey gold medal in 46 years with a nail-biting 2-1 overtime win against their arch-rivals to the north.
Historic Goal and American Jubilation
The game-winning moment came when New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes fired a precise wrist shot through the five-hole of Canadian goaltender Jordan Binnington in the extra period. This clinched a historic feat for the Americans, ending a decades-long drought on the Olympic stage.
Jack's older brother, Quinn Hughes, praised the goal scorer's mentality, stating, 'He's a freaking gamer. He's always been a gamer. Just mentally tough, been through a lot, loves the game. American hero.' The victory was particularly sweet as it came just over a year after Canada defeated the US in the 4 Nations Faceoff tournament, reversing the outcome in a high-stakes Olympic final.
Danica Patrick's Cheeky Social Media Jab
Amid the American celebrations, Danica Patrick took to Instagram to mock the Canadian defeat. She shared a post to her story that read, 'If Canada had been smart and become the 51st State, they'd be gold medalists right now.' Patrick captioned the cheeky remark simply with, 'Too soon?'—a clear dig at the neighbouring nation's loss.
This gloating has added fuel to the long-standing rivalry, with many Americans enjoying the bragging rights after the hard-fought win. The defeat has left Canada in a state of mourning, contrasting sharply with the US team's jubilant reactions.
Canadian Coach Criticises Overtime Format
While the Americans continue to celebrate, Canada's head coach, Jon Cooper, has voiced strong dissatisfaction with the Olympic overtime rules. The game was decided in a 3-on-3 overtime period, a format commonly used in the NHL to reduce the number of games settled by shootouts.
However, Cooper argued that this format undermines the essence of hockey, especially in such a critical match. 'You take four players off the ice, now hockey's not hockey anymore,' he said, via The Hockey News. He pointed out that in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and last winter's 4 Nations Faceoff, 5-on-5 overtime is the standard due to the high stakes involved.
Cooper attributed the rule to television-driven motives, stating, 'There's a reason overtime and shootouts are in play—it's all TV-driven to end games, so it's not a long time. There's a reason why it's not in the Stanley Cup Final or playoffs.' This criticism highlights a broader debate about whether the 3-on-3 format is appropriate for Olympic gold medal matches.
Aftermath of a Rivalry Renewed
The intense showdown has reignited the fierce hockey rivalry between the two nations, with emotions running high on both sides. As Team USA savours its golden moment, the discussion around overtime rules and sportsmanship continues to unfold, ensuring this historic win will be remembered for more than just the scoreline.
