Nathan MacKinnon’s reaction becomes the medal ceremony moment everyone notices
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Daniel Lucente
Feb 23, 2026 (11:18)
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Photo credit: HL edit
Nathan MacKinnon took silver with Team Canada, then turned the medal ceremony into the Milano Cortina moment everyone clipped and replayed.
Canada just lost 2-1 in overtime to Team USA in the men’s gold medal game on Sunday, and the sting was all over his face.
You could tell he wanted the handshakes, the medal, and to get out of there. Nothing extra.
Then came the stuffed animal.
Olympic medalists in Milano Cortina have been getting plush companions with their medals, tied to the official mascots and their “Flo” sidekicks.
And MacKinnon’s reaction looked like a guy who just finished a seven-game war and got handed a kindergarten prize.
Greg Wyshynski’s post nailed it and honestly, that is the internet in one sentence.
"Possibly the second greatest highlight from gold medal game."
- Greg Wyshynski
- Greg Wyshynski
Nathan MacKinnon puts Colorado Avalanche fans on edge
Avalanche fans are laughing, but it’s that stressed laugh, because this is exactly how MacKinnon looks when he thinks something slipped away.
He wasn’t mad at the toy. He was mad at the ending.
The U.S. got the overtime winner from Jack Hughes less than two minutes in, and the whole thing flipped instantly.
That’s why the glare landed. Silver is fine for most people, but he plays like silver is a problem to solve.
Back in the NHL grind, MacKinnon’s 2025-26 line sits at 40-53-93, and that tracks with the same edge you saw on the podium.
If anything, that plushie clip is a reminder of what’s coming next, a furious MacKinnon with something to prove the minute he’s back in an Avalanche sweater.
Also read on HockeyLatest :
NHL analyst blasts overtime rules after heartbreaking Canadian loss in gold medal game
NHL analyst blasts overtime rules after heartbreaking Canadian loss in gold medal game