Montreal fans face heartbreak as team USA takes Olympic gold in nail-biting overtime

By 7:30 a.m., a line was already forming outside La Cage at the Bell Centre in downtown Montreal, as bundled-up fans braved the cold for a chance to watch Team Canada take on the United States in the Olympic men’s hockey gold medal game.

“I was the first in line, I got here at about 6:55. Ready all day,” said David Payne, who called the early wake-up worth it to support Canada.

Others weren’t far behind. “I was in line just before seven and there were about 20 people already waiting outside with me,” said Jonathan, who arrived well before puck drop.

Inside, big screens flickered above breakfast plates as fans rode every high and low of the final. But the excitement turned to stunned silence across Montreal and much of the country as the United States secured a 2-1 overtime win to capture gold.

Jack Hughes scored the winner in the extra frame.

“It hurts. I feel heartbroken. I don’t even know what to say, it just hurts,” Payne said after the loss.

The U.S. opened the scoring in the first period when Matt Boldy beat Canadian goaltender Jordan Binnington. Canada responded late in the second, with Cale Makar getting a shot past Connor Hellebuyck to even the game and send the crowd into a frenzy.

Overtime, however, brought heartbreak.

“It’s disappointing for sure,” said Sean Lorie. “We played a great game. We had a lot of chances, a lot of empty nets we could’ve buried.”

William, another fan watching downtown, said Canada should have easily taken home gold. “It’s been 30 years we keep winning the gold medal, we should have won it,” he said.

For Bobby Hamel, the Americans were nearly impossible to beat. “The Americans were incredible, I felt like they had six goalies on the ice,” he said.

Despite the outcome, some fans found perspective

“It was actually my first live hockey game,” said Croscers. “Canada lost, but they gave it everything.”

“I’m a proud Quebecer but today I’m proud to be Canadian,” said Etienne Laurin who was among those packed inside La Cage at Bell Centre.

“So proud. So proud. Look how they represent 40 million people,” said Vimal Patel who echoed the same sense of pride as others watching the game.

Canada faced a major lineup change Sunday morning. Captain Sidney Crosby did not play in the gold medal showdown as he continued recovering from a lower-body injury suffered earlier in the tournament. Crosby skated at practice Saturday and was considered a game-time decision but ultimately sat out the final.

Connor McDavid wore the captain’s ‘C’ for the second straight game, leading a roster that showed resilience throughout the tournament.

The loss comes just days after Canada’s women’s hockey team also fell to the United States in overtime, making it a double heartbreak for many fans.

The game was played on the anniversary of the “Miracle on Ice,” when the United States defeated the Soviet Union en route to gold at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid.

“It would be a lifetime dream for us to get redemption over the States — to finally say Canada’s on top again,” said Andrea, who watched the game surrounded by fellow fans in red and white.

Even in defeat, hope remained.

“I could say some bad things,” Payne said with a shake of his head. “But I’m sure they’re hurting too. We’ll be back in four years and next time we’ll win.”