Team Canada is not okay. The social media folks behind the women’s hockey team are clearly not okay.
The United States women’s ice hockey team captured the gold medal at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics with a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory over arch-rival Canada.
So Team Canada decided to boost their ladies’ efforts by suggesting silver is just as good as gold. If that’s the case, why have different medals? Why have medals at all?
“Silver shines just as bright,” an X post reads, sharing an image of their women’s hockey team.
Look, silver is nothing to sneeze at. I don’t know too many people who have an Olympic medal of any kind, whether it be gold, silver, or bronze. But don’t gaslight with such a ridiculous assertion. Bronze medals are hard to earn. Silver medals are harder to come by.
But gold always shines the brightest.
Silver shines just as bright ❤️ pic.twitter.com/vahECFjFkU
— Team Canada (@TeamCanada) February 20, 2026
Team Canada Silver Shines Just as Bright Post Sparks Backlash: Fans Roast ‘Gaslighting’ After U.S. Gold Medal Heartbreaker
Team USA’s accomplishments should not be diminished by their bitter rivals just so they can feel better about the loss. If you want even more inspiration and a pick-me-up, Canada, just think–if you had accepted President Trump’s offer to become the 51st state, you would have actually won gold.
No need to pretend silver is just as shiny.
Fans on X had an absolute field day with Team Canada’s post.
“No, it does not,” one fan wrote, adding a GIF of Ricky Bobby (played by Will Ferrell) famously saying, “If you ain’t first, you’re last.”
“Glad to see you’re happy getting your ass kicked by the oldest and greatest country on earth in your own sport,” added another.
One fan ripped Team Canada for saying silver shines just as bright: “No. It doesn’t. Stop glorifying losing.”
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Canada looked headed to another gold medal when they took a 1-0 lead in the second period on a shorthanded goal by Kristin O’Neill, which stood until late in the third when U.S. captain Hilary Knight deflected a shot to tie the game and force extra time.
How late was that goal? There was only 2:04 left in the period when the game-tying goal was scored. Team USA had pulled their goalie.
In overtime, defender Megan Keller scored the golden goal just over four minutes in, slipping the puck past the Canadian goaltender after an incredible move around the defender to seal the comeback win. The crowd went absolutely wild. Chants of “USA! USA!” filled the arena.
Then came the playing of the national anthem, another incredible moment.
🚨BREAKING: After defeating Canada to win gold, the U.S. women’s hockey team wrapped themselves in American flags, and then stood arm in arm, and sang the national anthem, drawing praise from conservatives who say the moment sharply contrasts with other Team USA athletes who… pic.twitter.com/so2hBboU4c
— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) February 20, 2026
To recap, gold shines brighter than silver. Team USA shines brighter than Team Canada. And second place is only the first loser.