Red, White & OWNED: USA Sweeps Canada + Nuggets Panic Button? 🔥 Companion Blog – Episode 267
Red, White & OWNED.
I waited 16 years to say this.
USA runs hockey.
Men’s gold.
Women’s gold.
Two overtime winners.
Same opponent.
You don’t script that.
You earn it.
The Golden Goal We Needed
If you’re our age, Crosby’s 2010 dagger still lives in your head rent-free. You remember the silence.
Sunday morning in Milan?
That was closure.
Jack Hughes finishing it wasn’t just a goal. It was a generation shift.
Connor Hellebuyck became Captain America. That stick save will live forever. You can talk stats all you want — Canada probably wins that game on paper.
But the better team won.
There’s a difference between star power and structure.
The U.S. had structure.
The Women Set the Standard
Before the men finished it, the women delivered first.
Hilary Knight — fifth Olympics.
Second gold.
Captain.
Clutch goal to tie it late.
Megan Keller goes coast-to-coast in overtime and ends it like she’s on NHL 26.
That wasn’t luck. That was dominance.
For the first time ever, the United States swept both hockey gold medals.
That’s program power.
⭐ Player of the Week
🏆 Jimmy’s Pick: Mike Sullivan
This one meant something.
Mike Sullivan becomes the first U.S. coach since Herb Brooks to win Olympic Gold.
That’s not a casual stat.
That’s history.
We questioned him coming in. Was he just the guy who happened to coach Crosby? Was he a product of talent?
He answered it.
He managed ego.
He adjusted.
He got them through adversity.
He didn’t blink when Canada tilted the ice.
That’s coaching.
You don’t get compared to Herb Brooks lightly. Sullivan earned it.
🏆 Niko’s Pick: Hilary Knight
Five Olympics.
Two gold medals.
All-time leader in U.S. Olympic goals.
Captain of a program that continues to elevate the sport.
You want to talk about sustained excellence?
That’s it.
She’s the face of women’s hockey in this era — and she delivered again.
🪑 Benchwarmer of the Week
❄️ Jimmy’s Pick: Jon Cooper
Listen.
You don’t get to benefit from 3-on-3 overtime in the quarterfinals and semifinals…
…lose in 3-on-3 in the Gold Medal Game…
…and then complain about it.
That’s soft.
Tampa’s been wobbling.
Canada had the better roster on paper.
And when it didn’t go your way?
Excuses.
You had McDavid, MacKinnon, Makar on open ice.
Miss me with the format complaints.
You lost.
Own it.
🦦 Niko’s Pick: Tina the Stoat
Yes. The stuffed stoat mascot.
Because Nathan MacKinnon gave that thing the most diabolical death glare I’ve ever seen on live television.
Tina caught a stray.
And honestly?
Worth it.
Johnny Hockey
Watching Johnny Gaudreau’s kids on the ice with that jersey was bigger than sport.
That moment hit.
You could feel 13 in the building.
That’s what made it special.
Now… Denver
While America was celebrating, Denver had questions.
The Nuggets came out of the All-Star Break flat.
Bad loss. Bad comeback collapse.
We’re not panicking yet.
But the window doesn’t stay open forever.
Jokić doesn’t panic.
Fans are starting to.
And the Avalanche?
MacKinnon and Makar return with silver.
Brock Nelson returns with gold.
Is that fuel?
Or hangover?
We’ll find out quickly.
Final Word
This tournament mattered.
It grew the sport.
It united people.
It delivered drama.
Two golden goals.
One sweep.
One message.
Red.
White.
Owned.
🎙️ Episode 267 of The Far End of the Bench is live.
Drop your takes:
Is Sullivan cemented now?
Is Cooper soft?
Are the Nuggets fine?
Will the Avs respond?
Let’s talk.
Co-Host
Jimmy Pallotto - Co-Host, The Far End of the Bench
Born and raised in the heart of Colorado, Jimmy Pallotto is the passionate voice behind The Far End of the Bench. A lifelong sports enthusiast, Jimmy brings unparalleled energy, humor, and insight to the podcast, combining his deep-rooted love for the game with a sharp analytical edge. As a proud alumnus of Western Colorado University, where he majored in Communication Arts and Sociology, Jimmy’s background equips him to deliver thoughtful commentary and engage in meaningful discussions with fans and guests alike.
Jimmy’s love for sports extends beyond the mic. By day, he’s shaping young minds as a 7th-grade social studies teacher and multi-sport coach, mentoring athletes in wrestling and football. A dedicated coach and educator, Jimmy instills the same values of teamwork, leadership, and dedication in his students that he shares on the podcast.
When he's not in the classroom or recording episodes, Jimmy enjoys spending time with his girlfriend Carlye, their energetic Border Collie Boomer, and his close-knit family. Whether he's breaking down game-winning plays, sharing hilarious locker room stories, or diving deep into the latest sports controversies, Jimmy’s vibrant personality and authentic voice make him a fan favorite.
Catch Jimmy every week on The Far End of the Bench, where he and his co-host Niko Bryant tackle everything from Colorado sports to national headlines, bringing the sidelines to center stage.
Champions Crowned. Madness Loading. The Spring Sports Reset – Episode 266 (Companion to Episode 266
