Team USA's amazing gold-medal gesture you may have missed



Before a call from President Donald Trump and a few drinks with FBI Director Kash Patel, Team USA men's hockey made a heartfelt tribute to one of their compatriots.

After the players received their gold medals for a stunning 2-1 win over Team Canada on Sunday, viewers may have noticed a couple of youngsters on the ice posing for the team picture, along with a loose hockey jersey.

'When we got the call to come out, it felt like maybe he did make the team.'

No, those were not captain Auston Matthews' children. Nor were they superstar goalie Connor Hellebuyck's children. They were Noa and Johnny Jr., children of the late Johnny Gaudreau.

In 2023, Gaudreau, 31, and his younger brother Matthew, 29, were tragically killed by a drunk driver while riding bicycles in Oldmans Township, New Jersey. Gaudreau was one of the star players for the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets, while Matthew was a former professional hockey player who last played in the ECHL.

In yet another wonderful gesture, Team USA invited Johnny Gaudreau's widow, Meredith, to join the team in Italy on Saturday, along with the Gaudreau brothers' parents, Guy and Jane. The whole family was in the audience for the gold-medal game.

"To be able to get it done like that, to win, to have his jersey out there in the team photo, have his kids come out and be with us, we're obviously thinking of him," Auston Matthews said, per ESPN. "Just felt like the impact that he's had on so many guys in this room is special. He was with us in spirit the whole tournament," Matthews added.

RELATED: 'LOTS OF WINNING!!!' Trump praises America's historic hockey victory at Winter Olympics

"It's fun to be a part of this," Meredith said before the game.

"When we got the call to come out, it felt like maybe he did make the team. So it's fun. Here to represent him and support everyone that's honoring him, as well."

Meredith revealed to a reporter that she only had two days' notice before making the trip overseas to join the squad, but she said it was something she simply could not pass up.

"Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the kids. So that was the main reason that drove me out here," the mother continued, before delivering some truly heartbreaking remarks.

"I feel like I have two roles in life now: It's honor John, my husband, and make sure these kids know how special their dad is and give them some special opportunities."

RELATED: NHL superstar Johnny Gaudreau and brother killed by suspected drunk driver on eve of sister's wedding: 'Unimaginable tragedy'

Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

USA forward Dylan Larkin firmly stated that "Johnny and Matty should be here."

"That is the biggest loss that all of us at USA Hockey, their family, our family, has gone through," Larkin continued. "And to have Johnny Jr. and Noa out there, it just felt right."

Larkin added that he thought the Gaudreau brothers may have had a hand in stopping some pucks from going into the USA net.

"And I think part of those, the puck not going in our net, was somehow him standing there doing something, laughing with Matty. Just somehow they put a spell around our net where that puck didn't go in."

Larkin then joked around, reportedly smiling while saying, "Ironic, on the defensive side; he would've never been back there," he said about Johnny.

These comments nearly mirrored what was said about the late brothers by their sister, Katie.

Katie jokingly told Fox News that while her brothers were "never quite defensive," she thought a couple of saves had some assistance from above.

"Up there, they were definitely helping out."

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'It's the greatest country in the world': USA hockey's Quinn Hughes praises America after epic win



American fans have been waiting for an athlete to come out in full support of the red, white, and blue during the Olympics.

After a string of athletes have denigrated U.S. law enforcement, criticized the current administration, and even switched teams to compete for China, viewers have been looking for a hero to celebrate at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

'Happy to represent it here with these guys.'

Enter Quinn Hughes, a 26-year-old Florida native who plays for the NHL's Minnesota Wild. Hughes scored an overtime goal to beat Sweden 2-1 on Wednesday, advancing Team USA to the semifinals.

After the game, NBC News sports editor Greg Rosenstein posted an interview with Hughes following his heroic performance. In the video, a reporter asks Hughes about the mass of American flags in the audience during the game and how it felt hearing the crowd chant "U-S-A!"

"What's that atmosphere like?" the journalist asked.

"It's special," Hughes replied. "I love the U.S., and it's the greatest country in the world. So [I'm] happy to represent it here with these guys."

The defenseman added, "It's really special."

RELATED: NBC apologizes for calling female skier 'she'

The Olympics has been, unfortunately, shrouded in vitriolic political statements, which have included American figure skater Amber Glenn saying her "human rights" were at risk because of President Trump.

Half-American, half-British athlete Gus Kenworthy brazenly posted a photo in early February in which it appeared he had urinated in snow to spell out "F**k ICE," referring to immigration enforcement officers.

Politics even hit Olympic venues when a boutique hotel in Milan, set to host American athletes, changed its name from Ice House to Winter House. The name was allegedly changed to ensure that it remained "a private space free of distractions."

RELATED: Skier Hunter Hess changes tune after saying he has 'mixed emotions' about representing USA: 'I love my country'

Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images

Hughes' goal came on the eve of the USA women's hockey team winning an overtime game of their own. On Thursday, the ladies beat Canada 2-1 in what could end up being the first of two Canada vs. USA finals.

The American men play Slovakia on Friday at 3:10 p.m. ET. If they beat the Slovaks and Canada beats Finland (also on Friday), the USA and Canada would meet for a gold medal showdown, which airs Sunday, February 22, at 8:10 a.m. ET.

Canada's last gold in men's ice hockey was in 2014, the country's third in four Olympics. Two of those wins came over the United States.

The U.S. has not won gold since the notable 1980 "Miracle" team in Lake Placid.

The United States has the third-most gold medals in men's hockey, tied with Sweden with two. The Soviet Union/Russia and Canada both have nine.

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Canadian curler responds to viral cheating allegations: 'They were trying to catch us in an act'



The curling cheating scandal that has rocked the 2026 Winter Olympics has the Canadian team accusing Sweden of illegal filming.

Canada’s Team Brad Jacobs defeated Sweden’s Team Niklas Edin 8-6 on Friday, but the win included a viral moment that had the internet ablaze with cheating allegations.

'I know we're not the only team that they've done that to.'

Canadian Marc Kennedy had an intense altercation with Sweden’s Oskar Eriksson, who accused him of double-touching his stone after releasing it at the official line, called the hog line.

Photos and videos circulated online showing Kennedy's pointer finger appearing to commit the foul, but the intent and his finger's ability to influence the approximately 42-pound object has been up for debate.

Now, Kennedy has told reporters that he believes Sweden was setting his team up.

"They have come up with a plan here at the Olympics, as far as I know, to catch teams in the act at the hog line," Kennedy told reporters, per the National Post. "This was planned, right from the word go yesterday. From the words that were being said by their coaches and the way they were running to the officials, it was kind of evident that something was going on, and they were trying to catch us in an act."

RELATED: Skier Hunter Hess changes tune after saying he has 'mixed emotions' about representing USA: 'I love my country'

Curling Canada CEO Nolan Thiessen claimed Sweden took video that violated filming rules in Olympic venues, citing that only Olympic Broadcasting Services is allowed to take footage. He said the allegedly incriminating footage was "outside of OBS rules."

OBS said it did not produce the footage, but that anyone who is properly accredited with broadcast rights can film inside the venue.

Canadian Coach Paul Webster said the "game was afoot" and accused a "Swedish fan or Swedish official" of possibly filming from the stands.

"So they've got people up there videoing, and that whole thing was premeditated and planned," Webster added.

"They were there, ready at the hog line, video recording."

Sweden's Eden reportedly replied to the allegations and said "absolutely not."

"We've been saying this for maybe seven, eight years or something," Eden went on. "The media crew decided to place the camera on the hog line to see what was happening, to explain it to the people watching. It was Swedish media. The people covering the game that did that, we were told, at least. I have no idea, but that's what we were told afterwards."

RELATED: Team USA women's hockey hands Canada its worst loss in Olympics history

On Sunday, Canada's women's team was hit with a double-touching violation in their match against Switzerland, prompting even more rumors.

"Apparently everyone knew that Canada was cheating," sports podcaster Dan Katz said on Monday, citing insider reports. "Sweden had their own broadcast cameras basically set up on the hog line to catch them in the act. Then they called them out on it."

Canada's Kennedy added fuel to the fire, saying, "I know we're not the only team that they’ve done that to," in terms of filming. "So I think this was — I don't know what the word is for that — but like a premeditated plan to try to catch us."

Coach Webster also claimed Sweden "actually had videos for the Italian team as well."

Great Britain has since been accused of the double-touching violation.

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Affluent White Female Liberals Are Living In A Made-Up World

The Land of Make Believe will eventually come to an end, and sobriety and rationality will be restored. Let’s pray the correction doesn’t come in the form of a hot war or a natural disaster.

NBC apologizes for calling female skier 'she'



The Olympic skier at the center of a "misgendering" scandal has not publicly claimed to be offended. But one media outlet is apologizing profusely anyway.

'We apologize to Elis and our viewers.'

Swedish skier Elis Lundholm competed in freestyle skiing women's moguls on Wednesday but believes she is a man.

According to the Associated Press, Lundholm was "assigned female at birth and identifies as a man."

However, the Swedish ski team also told the outlet the athlete does not take any hormonal treatments and has not had any surgeries.

While Lundholm finished 25th in the competition, NBC accidentally ensured her broader coverage by allegedly misgendering her. Website Outsports covered the apparent outrage, relaying the remarks from the NBC/Peacock color commentator during the event.

"Getting off course here though. ... Oh, she just skids out of that gate. She's going to hop up and go around to make sure she does not DNF as she continues down the line here," the commentator reportedly stated.

RELATED: 'Queer' US figure skater trashes Trump admin before taking social media break over 'hate' and 'threats'

Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images

NBC sent out an apology this week to multiple outlets, including OutKick, explaining that "NBC Sports takes this matter seriously."

The network then went out of its way to remove any further replays that would have included announcers referring to Lundholm as a female.

"We streamed an international feed with non-NBCUniversal commentators who misgendered Olympian Elis Lundholm," the spokesman confessed. "We apologize to Elis and our viewers, and we have removed the replay of that feed."

Although the extent of the 23-year-old's gender transition appears to amount to spoken words, she has received significant coverage for helping make the 2026 Winter Olympics "extremely gay."

RELATED: 'I'm really proud': American snowboarder refuses to take the bait on question about representing USA

Photo by IOC via Getty Images

Gay-focused outlet Them chronicled different athletes before the games, describing Lundholm as the "first openly trans athlete to compete at a Winter Olympics event."

The outlet also cited that "he is good to compete per the trans athlete rules in any sport."

Lundholm was asked by Swedish outlet Sportbladet in January about the idea of facing criticism during the Olympics. She said, according to a translation, "Of course it's something I thought about. You can hear the voices that are out there. But then, I do my thing."

Lundholm will compete in the next round of women's dual moguls on February 14 at 4:30 a.m. ET.

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'I'm really proud': American snowboarder refuses to take the bait on question about representing USA



American snowboarder Chloe Kim was not looking to turn her Olympic event into a sideshow.

The two-time gold medalist from California was subject to the most popular — and divisive — question being asked of U.S. Olympians at the 2026 games in Italy.

'The US has given my family and I so much opportunity.'

On Monday, a female reporter asked a panel of Americans how they "feel representing Team USA right now."

The open-ended question has been a source of much controversy already, but when Kim spoke up, it was probably not what the reporter was hoping for.

"Obviously my parents being immigrants, this one definitely hits pretty close to home," Kim began. "I think in moments like these, it is really important for us to unite and kind of stand up for one another for all that's going on."

While her answer was not likely to please both sides of the political aisle, Kim continued.

"I'm really proud to represent the United States. The U.S. has given my family and I so much opportunity. But I also think that we are allowed to voice our opinions on what's going on," the 25-year-old added. "And I think that we need to lead with love and compassion. And I would love to see some more of that."

RELATED: Olympic skier who wrote 'F**k ICE' in snow now says he is victim of 'hate and vitriol'

The question in Livigno, Italy, seemed to be deliberately politically divisive. The reporter prefaced it with a reminder that President Donald Trump had called Kim's "teammate" Hunter Hess "a real loser."

Hess is an American freestyle skier who told reporters that he had "mixed emotions" about representing the United States, which the president replied to by saying Hess should not have tried out for the team.

"U.S. Olympic Skier, Hunter Hess, a real Loser, says he doesn't represent his Country in the current Winter Olympics. If that's the case, he shouldn't have tried out for the Team, and it's too bad he’s on it," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Hess later walked back his comments, stating on his social media that he loves the United States, while adding, "But there are always things that could be better."

RELATED: Olympic boxer Imane Khelif admits to having male genes, but sends message to Trump: 'I'm not trans'

Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images

Kim, born in Torrance, California, is defending her Olympic gold in women's snowboard half-pipe, having won at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang and the 2022 games in Beijing.

Kim qualified for the finals on Wednesday, finishing first in the qualifier ahead of Japan's Sara Shimuzu and American teammate Maddie Mastro, according to the Olympics.

The final takes place on Thursday, February 12, at 1:30 p.m. ET.

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Team USA women's hockey hands Canada its worst loss in Olympics history



The Canadians were beat every step of the way as Team USA delivered a historic beatdown on Tuesday.

A goal in each period saw the United States women's hockey team not only triumph over Canada, but it is one the neighbors to the north may never forget.

'Oh, you think you've done something, that's when the mountain eats you up.'

The 5-0 trounce included two goals from 24-year-old Texan Hannah Bilka and marked the first time ever Team Canada has failed to score a goal in a women's Olympic hockey game.

To add insult to injury, it was also the largest margin of defeat Canada has ever suffered at the hands of Team USA in both men and women's Olympic hockey.

"It's pretty special," said 21-year-old American Kirsten Simms, per NBC. "This group has been unbelievable from the start of the tournament, and I think we displayed that going against our known rivals. It's just good momentum for us going into the playoff rounds."

Simms scored just over a minute into the second period.

RELATED: Skier Hunter Hess changes tune after saying he has 'mixed emotions' about representing USA: 'I love my country'

"We're playing a good brand of hockey, and we're just sticking to it," added Ohio native Laila Edwards, who scored in the third. "We're sticking to the principles, and that benefits us. We've got a great group that just gels really well together."

Coach John Wroblewski reminded his team not to get ahead of themselves, despite their record-setting victory. According to ESPN, the coach asked his team, "What's the hardest part of climbing the mountain?"

Wroblewski provided the answer himself:

"Getting home," he said. "If you ever feel good about climbing Mount Everest, it's the way down. Oh, you think you've done something, that's when the mountain eats you up."

RELATED: Olympic skier who wrote 'F**k ICE' in snow now says he is victim of 'hate and vitriol'

Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images

Team USA will play Italy in the quarterfinals on Friday, February 13, at 3:10 p.m. ET, in what should be an easy win. Italy has over-performed by some accounts, beating France and Japan, both of whom are ranked higher internationally. However, a loss to Germany and a pounding from Sweden have brought them back down to earth, and they likely will not be a problem for the Americans.

ESPN's Emily Kaplan called Team USA a deep and dynamic team with an "extremely balanced attack."

With the Americans rolling all four offensive lines, the hockey insider wrote that the team's mix of fresher faces may be what is giving them an edge. Kaplan noted that Canada has 16 players returning from their 2022 Olympic team.

The two teams could still meet again, but it may have to wait until the finals as Canada's quarterfinal opponent is yet to be determined, and the bracket is not yet fleshed out; Canada still has to play Finland on Thursday.

If Team USA beats Italy, they would move on to the semifinals on February 16, with the bronze and gold medal games airing on February 19.

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Olympic skier who wrote 'F**k ICE' in snow now says he is victim of 'hate and vitriol'



Olympic freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy is shocked by the amount of backlash he is receiving.

Kenworthy, a silver medalist for the United States at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, made a post last week showing his followers how to contact the Senate in order to complain about Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

'Maybe that's the price you pay for speaking up and using your platform.'

Kenworthy provided a sample script that his followers could use, which included, "Innocent people have been murdered, and enough is enough. We can't wait around while ICE continues to operate with unchecked power in our communities."

The hyperbolic narrative was just one part of Kenworthy's post, however, as the attached photo read, "F**k ICE," written in the snow. While it is not clear how it was written, or if it was a digital edit, the positioning of skis around the yellow text implied that it was made with urine.

On Monday, Kenworthy made a follow-up video explaining that while he now competes for Great Britain — stating he does so to honor his mother — he is still half American and loves the United States.

"I care about the U.S., and I care about what's happening there," the 34-year-old stated.

What followed, though, was the skier saying that the intense backlash he has faced from the post was likely a product of him "speaking up."

"A lot of the messages have been awful; people telling me to kill myself, threatening me, wishing that they'll get to see me blow my knee or break my neck during my event, calling me slurs. Like, it's insane," he continued. "And maybe that's the price you pay for speaking up and using your platform. And so maybe this video is just going to invite more hate and vitriol, but I think it's important to say what we feel and stand up for what we believe in and stand up to injustice."

RELATED: Olympic ski jumpers may be injecting their penises with acid to jump farther

At the same time, the Olympian said that everyone has the freedom to "love the U.S. and be proud to be an American" while still thinking "it can be better" and "improve."

Without ever mentioning the nature of his anti-ICE photo, Kenworthy went on to say that he does not support ICE and believes the agency is "absolutely evil and awful and terrifying."

This was followed by a bevy of claims, such as American citizens "have been murdered in the street, executed in the street, and the officers are essentially acting with, like, impunity because their identities are covered."

"There's no accountability. It's really scary," he continued, claiming ICE is "racially profiling people, rounding up black and brown folks, and kidnapping them, putting them in unmarked vehicles with no arrest warrant, no probable cause."

Kenworthy added, "They're being held without any sort of due process. It's crazy. It's scary."

RELATED: Skier Hunter Hess changes tune after saying he has 'mixed emotions' about representing USA: 'I love my country'

Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

The skier, born in Essex, England, concluded that the "majority" of those being apprehended by the federal agency are "good" and "hardworking people" who are "nonviolent and have no criminal history and just came to the U.S. seeking a better life."

Kenworthy described this as "literally the foundation story of the U.S."

The British-American will compete in the Men's Freeski Halfpipe qualification at the Winter Olympics on February 19, which begins at 4:30 a.m. ET.

The finals will air February 20 at 1:30 p.m. ET.

This is the same event as Hunter Hess, the American skier who recently walked back his comments regarding disagreements he has with U.S. policy. Hess said that "it's a little hard" to be representing the United States and that he had "mixed emotions" about it.

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Skier Hunter Hess changes tune after saying he has 'mixed emotions' about representing USA: 'I love my country'



American skier Hunter Hess now says the United States is a great country.

Hess, from Bend, Oregon, has seemingly responded to intense backlash he received for saying that "it's a little hard" to represented the United States at the Olympics.

'There is so much that is great about America, but there are always things that could be better.'

On Friday, Hess told reporters that he had "mixed emotions" about wearing the red, white, and blue, saying, "Right now, I think, um, it's a little hard. There's obviously a lot going on that I'm not the biggest fan of and I think a lot of people aren't."

Hess said that instead he felt he was representing his friends, family, and things in the United States that "align with my moral values."

"Just because I'm wearing the flag doesn't mean I represent everything that's going on in the U.S.," he added.

These comments sparked huge backlash across the country; even the president took to his social media platform to call Hess a "real loser."

"U.S. Olympic Skier, Hunter Hess, a real Loser, says he doesn't represent his Country in the current Winter Olympics. If that's the case, he shouldn't have tried out for the Team, and it's too bad he’s on it,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

On Monday, Hess appeared to walk back his remarks in a post to his Instagram page.

RELATED: Italy minimizes politics during Olympics opening ceremony: 'No woke garbage'

"I love my country," the 27-year-old wrote alongside an American flag emoji.

"There is so much that is great about America, but there are always things that could be better. One of the many things that makes this country so amazing is that we have the right and the freedom to point that out," he continued.

Along with a picture of himself smiling, Hess also wrote in the caption that "the best part of the Olympics is that it brings people together, and when so many of us are divided we need that more than ever. I cannot wait to represent Team USA next week when I compete."

"Thanks to everyone for their support," he finished.

The skier's response has already fallen flat for some.

"Wow pls shut the f**k up," boxer Jake Paul wrote on X. "From all true Americans[:] If you don’t want to represent this country go live somewhere else."

RELATED: Olympic boxer Imane Khelif admits to having male genes, but sends message to Trump: 'I'm not trans'

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Super Bowl-winning quarterback Brett Favre shared a statement from actor and writer David Kano that read, "If you don’t want to rep the USA, then give up your spot to someone who does."

Hess will compete in the men's freeski half-pipe qualification at the Winter Olympics on February 19, which begins at 4:30 a.m. ET.

The finals will air February 20 at 1:30 p.m. ET.

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Iran, Israel, China, and US Join in Olympic ‘Harmony.’ Leave It to the Commercials To Remind Viewers the US Is the ‘Greatest Land of All.’

The Olympics are great because they give America a chance to prove our superiority by crushing other countries. But they also are vaguely suspect because they are run by an “international” committee traditionally dominated by corrupt Europeans and Communists and steeped in a kind of U.N.-style naive internationalism and moral neutrality.

The post Iran, Israel, China, and US Join in Olympic ‘Harmony.’ Leave It to the Commercials To Remind Viewers the US Is the ‘Greatest Land of All.’ appeared first on .