Canadian Pundit Claims 'Supernatural Forces' Helped USA Win Olympic Gold

A Canadian sports writer believes mystical forces may have played a role in Team USA's hockey victory over Canada.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

After Team USA won its first men's hockey gold medal in 46 years at the Winter Olympics, a Canadian sports writer claimed that "supernatural forces" may have been at play to help the Americans defeat Canada. The writer noted that Canada controlled much of the game but that small bounces seemed to go the USA's way, including a missed wide-open net by Canadian star Nathan MacKinnon. The writer suggested that Canada may need to be "more in tune with the ghosts on the ice" if they want to win gold in the future.

Why it matters

The claim of supernatural forces helping the USA win the Olympic hockey gold medal against Canada is an unusual and controversial take on the game's outcome. It speaks to the intense rivalry between the two North American hockey powerhouses and the desire of Canadian fans to explain a disappointing loss to their southern neighbors.

The details

In the gold medal game, Team USA was able to hold off a relentless Canadian attack and force overtime, where they scored the game-winning goal. The Canadian writer Luke Fox believes that "small bounces" went the Americans' way throughout the game, including a missed wide-open net by Canadian star Nathan MacKinnon late in the third period. Fox suggests that "supernatural forces" may have been at play to help the USA secure the victory.

  • The gold medal game took place on Sunday, February 23, 2026.
  • Earlier in the tournament, USA player Quinn Hughes spoke about his possible connection with "ghosts" on the ice.

The players

Jack Hughes

The American player who scored the game-winning goal in overtime to give Team USA the gold medal.

Sidney Crosby

The Canadian hockey legend who led Canada to a gold medal victory over the USA in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Connor Hellebuyck

The American goaltender who made several key saves to help his team win the gold medal.

Nathan MacKinnon

The Canadian hockey star who missed a wide-open net late in the third period, a play that the Canadian writer believes could have changed the outcome of the game.

Quinn Hughes

The American player who spoke earlier in the tournament about his possible connection with "ghosts" on the ice.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It was almost as if supernatural forces were at play. Storming Team USA's net in hungry waves, Canada was all over the Americans, first tying the airtight gold medal game, then pressing their nemeses like paninis, wanting what's golden.”

— Luke Fox, Sportsnet writer (Newsweek)

“Sometimes you hear some funny stuff out there, but yeah. As the people say, I'm usually seeing ghosts, so I'm usually focused on myself.”

— Quinn Hughes (Newsweek)

What’s next

The Canadian hockey community will likely continue to debate whether supernatural forces played a role in the USA's Olympic gold medal victory over Canada.

The takeaway

This story highlights the intense rivalry between Canada and the USA in hockey and the desire of Canadian fans to find explanations for disappointing losses to their southern neighbors, even if those explanations veer into the realm of the supernatural.