The Canadian men's national hockey team, currently in Italy for the Milan Cortina Olympics, took a break from their training schedule to attend a short-track speedskating mixed relay event. The players, including notable stars like Sidney Crosby and Brad Marchand, were visibly impressed by the high-stakes competition that unfolded before them. They witnessed firsthand the unexpected drama of the semifinals, where a collision involving Corinne Stoddard of the USA and Kim Gil-li of South Korea highlighted the unpredictable nature of the sport.

Brad Marchand articulated the team's excitement, describing the event as both incredible and fun. He noted the intensity of the races and emphasized how a single mistake in speedskating can have significant consequences, not just for the athlete involved, but also for the competition as a whole. This experience provided the players with an opportunity to appreciate an Olympic sport that is quite different from their own and possibly drew parallels in terms of competitive spirit and teamwork.

As the hockey team's focus shifts back to competing for gold, this experience may serve as a motivational reminder of the stakes involved in Olympic competition. The awe-inspiring skill displayed by speedskaters may inspire the players to channel similar intensity and focus into their upcoming games, as they strive to add another gold medal to Canada's Olympic legacy.