Milan-Cortina 2026 has been one of the most eventful Winter Olympics in history – in sporting and political terms – so it is appropriate that the final medal event could be the most enticing of all.
Canada and United States have been the two best teams in the men’s ice hockey competition, and they will duke it out at Milano Santagiulia Arena on Sunday at 13.10 GMT.
For two of the most storied nations in the sport, however, they have very different Olympic histories.
Canada are aiming to be the first nation to earn 10 men’s ice hockey gold medals, most recently winning the title in 2014.
USA meanwhile have not claimed the men’s title since 1980 – the ‘Miracle on Ice’ triumph over Soviet Union in Lake Placid – and have not beaten Canada in a men’s final since 1960.
Canada have beaten the American men in their past two Olympic final meetings – Salt Lake City 2002 and Vancouver 2010. But the USA are looking for a double in Milan after their women’s side defeated the Canadians on Thursday.
The two teams did not have a totally smooth skate to this point. Both needed overtime to win their quarter-finals, while Canada had to come from 2-0 down to beat Finland 3-2 in Friday’s semi-final on Friday, scoring the winner with 35 seconds on the clock.
The Canadians also have fitness issues. They could be without captain Sidney Crosby, who was forced off in their last eight win over Czech Republic with a knee injury and missed the Finland semi. Canada are hopeful to have him for Sunday, but he certainly will not be 100% fit.
The squad has also been afflicted by a sickness bug, which dramatically revealed itself in the quarter-final when Nathan MacKinnon threw up while sat on the bench.
But even when impacted by injury and illness, Canada still have the strongest team.
“In Connor McDavid you have the best player on the planet by a million miles,” ice hockey commentator Seth Bennett told BBC Sport. “He was averaging three points a game going into semi-finals.
“McKinnon is another superstar offensive player. Defensively, Cale Makar is the best defenceman in the world and a gamechanger. All will be judged against him.
“You mix them up and it’s like if you have a computer game and you put all the best players on one team.”
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Getty ImagesUSA meanwhile have stars of their own, but don’t have the attacking gifts of the Canadians.
“The Tkachuk brothers [Brady and Matthew], and Jack Eichel, that attacking line has worked well together,” Bennett said.
“What they have not had is much scoring from captain Auston Matthews, he has not yet taken any of the games by the horns. They are OK, but not more than that.”
However, the Americans have the best defenceman at the Games in Quinn Hughes, who scored the crucial winner against Sweden.
“He might be the best three-on-three player in the world,” said Bennett. “He loves to keep possession, and is always looking to make an exciting play.”
It sets up a mouth-watering finale of an Olympic ice hockey competition which has benefitted hugely from the return of National Hockey League (NHL) players for the first time since 2014.
The attendance of players from the top North American league was in doubt for a time over concerns about the ice quality at the unfinished Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, but they have been a major boon for the Games.
“This is the highest level of hockey we have ever seen at an Olympics,” said Bennett. “The NHL players have made it a different world.
“At the last two Olympics, games have been good but have missed the quality in the final third, the big moments. Players didn’t have the skillset to break a game, so saw a lot of tight, dull games
“Some of what the players have been doing here has been mind-blowing. One of the goals scored for Canada, McDavid saucered this pass from the back door [behind the goal], it lands as McKinnon is shooting, on the half-volley. That’s when you recognise it.
“I have been getting phone calls from people in the hockey world, all they have been saying is, this is so good. There have been periods where Kent [Simpson, BBC co-commentator] and I have just been sat watching, smiling, laughing.”
Canada have won gold in three of the five Olympics when NHL players have featured and will fancy their chances in a game on Sunday which could be as fascinating in the stands as it is on the ice.
It is highly likely that Canadian prime minister Mark Carney will be in Milan for the game.
Not only is Canada as a country hockey-mad, but so is Carney – when working as governor of the Bank of England, he would play for a recreational team in Haringey, north London.
Winter Olympics 2026
6-22 February
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Getty ImagesThe BBC understands that, as of Friday afternoon, Donald Trump is scheduled to remain in Washington DC – but that could now change.
It would be a logistical and security nightmare for the International Olympic Committee should he attend, and it would add a major frisson to an already charged game.
Trump’s vice president JD Vance attended a USA group stage game, and the Olympic opening ceremony at San Siro where he was loudly booed when he appeared on the stadium’s big screen.
And the presence of Trump – who previously said he will impose tariffs on imported goods from Canada, while also floating the idea of their northern neighbours becoming the US’s 51st state – would turn the Santagiulia Arena into a political cauldron.
His impact was seen in February 2025, when the Four Nations match between the United States and Canada descended into chaos with three fights breaking out between players in the first nine seconds.
The crowd at Montreal’s Bell Centre for that game loudly booed the US national anthem pre-game – an issue which will be avoided in Milan. What happens after the game depends on the victor.
And Bennett thinks the heightened stakes and occasion will mean a less pugilistic occasion.
“There won’t be a repeat of the fights with a gold medal on the line,” he said. “They will be at each other though; in every break in play, there will be a cross-check, a word, a push, a scrum.
“Then when they fly back, they will fly on the same private jets because the NHL will put on transport.
“For example, you have Matthew Tkachuk for USA and Brad Marchand for Canada, who are both rink rats, they will go head-to-head 100%. Then they will be on the same flight, they are Florida Panthers teammates and will try to win the Stanley Cup together.”
The crowd may also be less tense due to the likelihood of more neutrals buying tickets for an Olympic spectacle, rather than a potential grudge match.
So, if you are a neutral going to the game, who does Seth think you should support?
“Canada going for their 10th gold, so usually the neutral will go with the underdog,” he says. “But that is USA.
“Canada are a bit arrogant too, but they have all the favourite players. How do you not love a team with all those players?
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