MILAN -- As the United States men's hockey team prepares for a showdown with Canada in the Olympic gold medal game, forward Brady Tkachuk did not mince words about the intense rivalry between the two nations. "There's hatred there," Tkachuk told ESPN on the eve of the contest, capturing the raw emotion fueling Team USA's drive to dethrone their northern neighbors. The game, set for Sunday at the Mediolanum Forum here, represents more than just a chance at gold; it's an opportunity for the Americans to end decades of dominance by Canada in best-on-best international competition.
Tkachuk, the captain of the Ottawa Senators and a key leader for Team USA, emphasized the stakes during a press interaction Saturday. He described Canada as the "top dog" that has ruled the sport for years, a position the U.S. desperately wants to claim. "They've been the best for the last bunch of years, and for us, we want to be in that position, be the best," Tkachuk said. "So it's going to be a game where I think a lot of guys could say, this is the biggest game that they've ever played in."
The history between the two teams underscores Tkachuk's sentiments. The U.S. men have not defeated Canada in a best-on-best tournament since the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, an event that featured Tkachuk's father, Keith, as a member of the American squad. That victory predates the birth of many current U.S. players, including both Brady and his brother Matthew, who plays for Canada. The brothers' personal rivalry adds another layer, highlighted by last year's 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in Montreal, where the siblings engaged in three fights within the first nine seconds of the opening faceoff at Bell Centre.
Despite the U.S. edging Canada in that round-robin game, the Canadians prevailed in the final, winning 2-1 in overtime. Tkachuk reflected on the heartbreak, noting how close his team came to victory. "I mean, we were one shot away last year, and sometimes you got to go through that adversity, that sadness, those tough times for the good times to feel even better," he said. "It was definitely a tough couple days, couple weeks, months after that game. And I know I don't want to feel like that ever again."
Team USA has approached the Olympics with a clear mindset, adopting the mantra "gold or bust" in the lead-up to the tournament. The Americans last won Olympic gold in 1980, immortalized as the Miracle on Ice against the Soviet Union at Lake Placid, New York. Since NHL players began participating in the Olympics starting in 1998, the U.S. men have come close but fallen short, missing the 2018 PyeongChang and 2022 Beijing Games due to logistical issues between the league and the International Olympic Committee.
In the intervening years, hockey's popularity has surged in the United States, with youth participation and professional talent deepening. Players like Tkachuk see this Olympic stage as a platform to showcase that growth. "It's been 46 years. So many players that have paved the way for us that haven't had a chance to win gold for us, that for our dream to be right there," Tkachuk said. "It's something that we're not taking lightly. And I mean, we have an opportunity to achieve a childhood dream."
The U.S. team's recent successes bolster their confidence heading into the final. In May, they captured the men's world championship for the first time in over 90 years, defeating Czechia 1-0 in overtime in Prague. Several players from that squad, including forwards Clayton Keller of the St. Louis Blues and Tage Thompson of the Buffalo Sabres, along with goaltender Jeremy Swayman of the Boston Bruins, earned spots on the Olympic roster as a reward for their contributions.
The women's team has provided inspiration and a blueprint for success. On Thursday, the U.S. women defeated Canada 3-2 in a shootout to claim their third Olympic gold medal, extending their dominance with 11 world championships since 2005. Teammate Vincent Trocheck, a forward for the New York Rangers known for his defensive prowess, pointed to the women's victory as motivation. "I mean, we saw the girls win," Trocheck said. "Obviously win gold for USA and if we can beat Canada on Sunday, it's just a clean sweep and I mean, that's what everyone's here for."
While the physicality of international hockey prohibits fighting—resulting in automatic ejections—the gold medal game is expected to be a grueling, tight-checking affair. Trocheck, who has anchored Team USA's perfect 15-for-15 penalty kill through the tournament, anticipates a battle similar to last year's 4 Nations clash. "It's going to be a hard fought battle," he said. "I mean, we saw it last year at the 4 Nations. It's going to be similar to that. Very tight checking. Obviously they have a lot of the best players in the world, so it should be the best."
Canada enters the final as a formidable opponent, boasting one of the league's most potent power plays at 6-for-17 in the tournament. Their top unit, which sat out the semifinal against Finland due to adjustments, includes superstars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche, Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid, Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart, and rookie sensation Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks. These players represent three of the NHL's top four scorers this season, underscoring Canada's depth and talent.
A potential boost for Canada comes in the form of veteran Sidney Crosby, the Pittsburgh Penguins captain sidelined by a lower-body injury. Crosby skated for the second straight day on Saturday and is listed as a game-time decision for Sunday's matchup. His presence could tilt the scales, given his storied Olympic history, including gold medals in 2010 and 2014.
The timing of the men's final adds a touch of historical poetry. It falls on February 22, exactly 44 years after the U.S. men's 4-3 upset of Finland to secure the 1980 gold—a date etched in American sports lore. Trocheck captured the excitement surrounding the event. "I mean, it's as good as it gets, right? This is what everybody has been waiting for," he said. "This is best on best hockey on the world stage, playing for a gold medal. I mean, you can't really dream it up any better than this."
Beyond the ice, the U.S.-Canada rivalry reflects broader cultural ties and competitions in the sport. Hockey, born in Canada, has long been dominated by its inventors, but the U.S. has steadily closed the gap through expanded programs and NHL success. A win for Team USA would not only end a long drought but also signal a shifting balance in international hockey, potentially inspiring a new generation on both sides of the border.
As the puck drops Sunday, all eyes will be on players like Tkachuk, who embodies the fire of the rivalry. With the women's gold already in hand, the men carry the weight of national expectations. Whether they can channel that "hatred" into triumph remains to be seen, but the stage is set for what promises to be an unforgettable chapter in hockey history.