Canadians endure heartbreak at LaSalle gold medal watch party

Hockey fans in LaSalle watched Team Canada lose to the U.S. in the gold medal game.

An often-boisterous crowd inside a LaSalle bar fell into silence Sunday morning after Canada’s men’s hockey team suffered a devastating loss on the world’s biggest stage.

Canada fell to the United States 2-1 in overtime of the gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

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At The GOAT Tap and Eatery in LaSalle, fans were in their seats by 8 a.m. to take in all the action.

“It was totally worth getting up early for. I wouldn’t miss it for anything,” one fan said after the game.

Throughout the tight game, each near-scoring opportunity was met with loud gasps and hopeful cheers.

Canada’s lone tally sent the bar into a frenzy, but in the end, it was the Americans who found the back of the net in the extra frame.

“This is probably the lowest thing for, you know, Canadians to see our hockey team [men] or women’s hockey lose, especially against the United States. Given what’s going on with the trade war right now,” said another fan.

Despite the heartbreak, fans said they’re optimistic Canada will find itself back at the top of the hockey podium before long.