Team Canada lost to the United States 2-1 in overtime of the Olympic Gold Medal Game. Despite outshooting the USA 42 to 28 and controlling play for most of the day, Canada could not pierce Connor Hellebuyck again after Cale Makar found the back of the net with 1:44 remaining in the second period.
“You be the judge of who was the better team today,” a cranky Nathan Mackinnon said after the game, per the Canadian Press’s Joshua Clipperton.
Coming into the tournament, MacKinnon was open about the fact that he was not in Italy to have fun or enjoy other parts of the Olympic experience. He was there only to win gold.
“I want to enjoy myself, but I’m not here to enjoy myself,” MacKinnon said per The Athletic.
MacKinnon was also on the wrong side of some terrible luck, missing a wide-open net in the third period, which could have given Canada the tournament win in regulation.
All of this might begin to explain why Colorado Avalanche superstar was among the most frustrated players during the medal ceremony.
After receiving his silver medal, which, in his mind, was definitely the wrong color, he was presented with a stuffed animal. He looked at it with disgust and then shook his head, like, this is beneath me.
JFresh has a good point here.
While the Mack Daddy might not be interested in his new pal, who may or may not be joining him on the flight home, he might appreciate the backstory behind the gift.
The stuffed animal he received was Tina the Stoat, a white-furred, ferret-like animal, who is one of two mascots for this year’s Winter Olympics. The other is Milo, Tina’s dark-brown furred sibling, who is representing the Paralympics.
The two stoats were designed by students at the Istituto Comprensivo of Taverna. Unveiled back in February 2024, they beat 1,600 other entrants in a public poll. The siblings get their names from the two host cities—Tina is short for Cortina d’Ampezzo, while Milo is short for Milan—and represent the “contemporary, vibrant and dynamic Italian Spirit.”
Tina, the elder sibling with lighter-colored fur, will be the face of the Olympic Games. Born in the Italian mountains but living in the city, she is a creative soul who loves art and music. Her motto is “dream big,” and she is passionate about the power of beauty and it’s ability to create change.
The Tina the Stoat plushie is also joined by a member of the “Flo,” an adorable posse of lovable sidekicks: Sport Flo, Cute Flow, and Genius Flo.
Every athlete, no matter if they want one or not, receives one of the gifts after they’re awarded their Olympic medal. And while Tina wants her friends to dream big, something tells me Nathan will be having nightmares tonight.
