While it ultimately ended in heartbreak, Calgary hockey fans braved the elements to cheer on Canada’s women’s team in Thursday’s gold-medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
On a frigid morning that saw temperatures dip into the -20s, fans from across the city flocked to sports bars along the iconic Red Mile to watch Team Canada battle the U.S. for Olympic glory.
And after a dramatic, tense game that went down to the wire, Canada suffered heartbreaking defeat against their bitter rivals, losing 2-1 in overtime, courtesy of a winning goal from U.S. defender Megan Keller.
In Calgary’s Beltline, roughly two-dozen fans shook off their winter coats and toques to watch the game at Trolley 5 Brewpub on 17th Avenue, many sporting Team Canada apparel.
“It’s such a better atmosphere when you can feed off each other’s energy and you get much more into it,” said Canada fan Lauren Carry during a break in Thursday’s action. “If you watch it at home, you end up multitasking, folding laundry and doing other things.”
The game was a nail-biter that saw the U.S. equalize with two minutes left in the third period, when captain Hilary Knight tipped a shot from the point by Laila Edwards.
The game-tying goal was a fitting contribution from Knight, who was playing in her fifth and final Olympics.
The U.S. equalizer came after Canada took the lead early in the second period, with a goal from Kristin O’Neill.
But the U.S. prevailed in overtime, thanks to some nifty play down the left wing from Keller, who, after beating her defender, back-handed a shot past Canada goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens.
Silver medalists Jennifer Gardiner and Daryl Watts of Team Canada show dejection before the medal ceremony for the Ice Hockey Women following during the Women’s Gold Medal match between the United States and Canada on day 13 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 19, 2026 in Milan, Italy.
It was another intense battle between the only two countries that have won gold in women’s hockey at the Winter Olympics. Canada or the U.S. have triumphed every year since women’s hockey was added to the Games in 1998. Canada has won five of those eight tournaments, while the U.S. has now won three.
Earlier in the tournament, the U.S. had beaten Canada 5-0 in the preliminary round, setting up a rematch in the gold-medal match that many considered heavily in the Americans’ favour.
At Trolley 5, Jaclyn Snell was watching the game with a group of friends, virtually all of whom were donning red Team Canada jerseys. Snell, a Calgary-based realtor and self-professed hockey fan, said she’s a friend of the brewpub’s owner, which is why her group settled on watching the game at Trolley 5.
Snell, who took a break from the interview to down a shot, said she likes being around the energy of other Canadians while cheering on the team.
“Usually it’s busier, but it’s -30 C out and we’re just happy to be here,” she said early into the game.
“I’m proud of Team Canada, I’m proud of women in any sports right now. We’re all very strong females at this table, so it was appropriate to watch it (together).”
Hockey fans at Trolley 5 react to the women’s gold medal game against the USA in Calgary on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
Another attendee who echoed that sentiment, seated at the adjacent table, was Gabby.
“The energy is so much better, you get an atmosphere where everyone is super stoked and excited,” said Gabby, who asked that her surname not be included as she was skipping work to watch the game. “It really feeds the vibe.”
She added she wasn’t surprised the gold-medal match was ultimately between Canada and the U.S., as the two rivals have played each other in seven of eight Olympic finals over the years.
“The U.S. has been dominating the tournament, so I feel like Canada really needs to win it for our country,” Gabby said during the first period.
‘We’re happy we’re the spot that everyone wants to go to’
Trolley 5, in the heart of Calgary’s Red Mile, has become a hub for hosting watch parties for significant sporting events.
The business became a popular spot for Calgary-based Edmonton Oilers fans during the team’s playoff runs to the Stanley Cup final the past two years, while the brew pub also hosted sold-out watch parties for the Toronto Blue Jays’ Cinderella run to the 2025 World Series last fall.
Silvia Latife, the brew pub’s marketing manager, said hosting viewing parties for this month’s Winter Olympics has provided Trolley 5 a considerable boost in sales during a time of year that is typically slower for business.
While Thursday’s turnout was perhaps smaller than expected, likely due to the frigid temperatures and the time of day the women’s final was played, Latife said the brewpub has enjoyed welcoming fans to watch this year’s Winter Olympics.
“We’re happy we’re the spot that everyone wants to go to and we’re booking out fast for Sunday,” she said, alluding to the men’s gold-medal hockey game, which Canada still has to qualify for.