Silver Lining: Canadian Women's Hockey Fans Celebrate Progress Despite Olympic Heartbreak
Despite a heartbreaking overtime loss in the Olympic gold medal game, Canadian women's hockey fans gathered at Ottawa's Craft Beer Market on Thursday found reasons to celebrate the remarkable progress of their beloved sport.
A Heritage Field Trip Turns Emotional
Leah Stolarski pulled her 10-year-old daughter Beatrice out of school for what she called a "Canadian heritage field trip" to watch Canada face the United States in the women's gold medal hockey game at the Winter Olympics in Italy. The mother-daughter duo, who moved to Canada from the United States a decade ago, joined dozens of fans dressed in red and white at the Lansdowne Park establishment with high hopes for a gold medal victory.
"We're big hockey fans, so we decided to play hooky for the afternoon," Leah told reporters. "We're definitely cheering for Team Canada despite the American ties."
Heartbreak in Overtime
The game delivered an emotional rollercoaster for the watch party crowd. Canada held a 1-0 lead into the final minutes of the third period, injecting energy and hope throughout the restaurant. However, the Americans tied the game late and then claimed the gold medal in heartbreaking fashion when the overtime winner slid through the legs of Canadian goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens.
The dramatic finish silenced the previously boisterous crowd, with some fans breaking into tears or burying their heads in their laps as the reality of the loss set in.
"It does really suck to lose to the Americans and our girls played their hearts out," said Jennifer Drew, who attended the Ottawa watch party. "They're a wonderful team of women, and they should be proud of what they've done for women's hockey."
Focusing on the Positive Progress
Rather than dwelling on the disappointment, many fans chose to focus on the bright side of how far women's hockey has developed in recent years. Christine Ford, another fan at the gathering, expressed gratitude for the platform the Professional Women's Hockey League has provided for the sport.
"We still have hockey to watch for another four years," said Ford, who is also an Ottawa Charge season-ticket holder. "We get pro hockey starting again next weekend. For the first time, the sport has an audience outside the Olympics."
Olympic Connections to Local Team
The watch party had special significance for Ottawa Charge fans, as five players from the local PWHL team competed in the gold medal game. American players Gwyneth Philips and Rory Guilday earned gold medals in their Olympic debuts, while Canadian players Brianne Jenner, Emily Clark and Jocelyne Larocque will return to Ottawa with silver medals.
"We're proud to have them coming home with medals, and to have the Americans back on our team again," said Drew, who added she was looking forward to welcoming all five medalists back once PWHL hockey resumed following the Olympic break.
Celebrating Women's Hockey Growth
Throughout the Olympic women's hockey tournament, watch parties hosted by the Ottawa Charge at Craft Beer Market proved immensely popular. "Go Canada Go" chants echoed across the restaurant during games, accompanied by the occasional kazoo rally cry that added to the festive atmosphere.
Despite the final result, fans left the gathering with a sense of pride in how far women's hockey has come and optimism about its future, both internationally and through the growing Professional Women's Hockey League that promises year-round elite competition for the sport they love.
