REGINA — Saskatchewan residents, and government officials, were glued to the television screen Sunday morning watching intently to see if Canada could win the gold medal in men’s hockey over the U.S. at the Winter Olympics in Italy.
At Pro Metal Industries just north of Regina, Secretary of State for Rural Development Buckley Belanger and several other dignitaries tuned in to the game between Canada and the U.S., just prior to a media event announcing federal funding aimed at helping the local Indigenous economic sector.
The group was on the edge of their seats during the brief three-on-three overtime, which ended with the U.S.’s Jack Hughes firing home the winning goal to beat Team Canada 2-1.
Belanger and the others were disappointed, but the group was not downcast as they pointed out Canada was still coming home with a silver medal — although they lamented the chances Canada had to win the game.
At the media event that followed, Belanger was asked about his thoughts on Team Canada’s efforts in Olympic hockey. He made clear his belief that even despite the loss, Canada was still a hockey nation.
“I would say that Canada over time has always dominated the U.S. when it comes to hockey, both in the women's category and certainly the men's category.
"And I just love Canada. I explain to people that we live in a beautiful country and we have much of what the world needs…” said Belanger.
“But I'll say this, that the U.S. has 10 times the population than we do. So for every one Canadian, they have 10 Americans in which they could develop a hockey player out of. But Canada is still number one when it comes to hockey.”
