US-Canada ‘grudge match’ ends up being mostly about the hockey

Connor Hellebuyck (#37) of the United States makes a save against Macklin Celebrini (#17) of Canada during the men’s gold medal hockey game at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (Jeremy White/The New York Times) By MOTOKO RICH and TARIQ PANJA It was a game destined to be played under the shadow of politics, but in the end, fans mostly put aside the growing animosity between the Trump administration and Canada’s government to cheer on top-tier ice...