Empty Netters Podcast – Olympic Hockey Semi-Finals Recap

Episode Title: The Dream Gold Medal Matchup - Semi Finals Olympic Hockey Recap
Podcast: Empty Netters Podcast (Almost Friday Media)
Date Recorded: February 21, 2026
Hosts: Dan Powers, Chris Powers, Red, and Matt "Baldy" Glazer
Location: Milan, Italy (Boots on the ground at the 2026 Winter Olympics)

Episode Overview

This high-energy episode finds the Empty Netters crew reporting live from Milan, recapping a wild 48-hour stretch of Olympic hockey semi-finals and the electrifying women's gold medal game between USA and Canada. The hosts—Americans but deeply plugged into the hockey world—provide boots-on-the-ground analysis, vivid scene-setting from inside the Olympic arenas and houses, and candid, often hilarious commentary on the action, players, and culture around the tournament. They break down both the women’s showdown and the men’s semi-final results, setting the stage for a dream USA-Canada gold medal matchup.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Women's Gold Medal Game: USA vs Canada

Setting the Scene

• Hosts attended the women's final at the official USA Hockey House, surrounded by Olympians, USA and Canadian player families, and fans.
• The energy and emotional stakes were off the charts: "The building was split. There were flags everywhere. Parents of Canadian players sitting behind me, parents of US players in front of me. I was trying to be Switzerland." (Dan, [05:00])

Pre-Game Narrative

• The USA women's team entered the gold medal game as heavy favorites, posting an undefeated record (7-0, outscoring opponents 33-2) in the tournament.
• Many experts predicted the Americans would "roll over" Canada, repeating their dominant round-robin win (5-0).
• The hosts, and their inside sources, noted that this enormous expectation actually created a pressure-cooker: “This is a nightmare for the US team because you have everything to lose. Shoutout our girl Dami, she said this Canada team is nasty. And if you think it’s gonna be a roll-fest, you don’t watch women’s hockey.” (Chris, [04:10])

Game Breakdown

• The game was a classic, fraught with emotion and intensity, and featured one of the most engaged—and divided—crowds the hosts had ever seen.
• “It was juiced to the tits… One of the great rivalries in sports.” (Dan, [04:49])
• After a tense, scoreless first period, Canada struck first with a shorthanded goal:
  • “US couldn’t get through. Canada did such a good job keeping them out on the perimeter.” (Dan, [10:18])
  • “Veteran leadership, poise… Canada frustrated the out of USA.” (Chris, [08:07])
• Standout Canadian performances:
  • Laura Stacey (primary assist, relentless play) – “She was all fucking over the ice—blocking shots head first, on PK making stuff happen. I fell in love with Laura Stacy.” (Dan, [10:19])
  • Aaron Ambrose (Canadian D): “Best game of the tournament for Aaron, I’m so happy to tell her, ‘You did everything you were supposed to do.’” (Chris, [12:32])

Dramatic Regulation Finish

• The US tied it late (just over 2 minutes left) on a goal from captain Hilary Knight:
  • “Who else? Captain America. Big time players make big time plays. Miracle shit.” (Chris, [14:36])
• Game goes to 3-on-3 overtime, to the hosts’ annoyance:
  • “In the fucking gold medal game at the Olympics we’re doing three-on-three… it’s so dumb. It was mayhem.” (Dan, [14:42])

Overtime Scene – Gold-Winner

• “Three-on-three, could have gone either way. Abby Murphy made the most electric backcheck breakup I’ve seen. Then the other captain, Keller, defenseman, unreal stretch pass from Heise, walks the defender, backhand, squeezes it home.” (Dan, [16:44])
  • “Game. Called game. Blouses.” (Chris quoting Chappelle/Prince, [17:01])

Final Thoughts, MVPs, and “Stuffed Animal” Tradition

• Caroline Harvey (USA) dominated: “Tour MVP—All-star, best D, best plus-minus (+14), most assists, most points, most points by a defenseman, and most valuable player.” (Dan, [21:22])
• Aaron Frankel (USA goalie): “Empty Netters MVP—could not be scored on, only two goals all tournament. She made a couple off her head, it was crazy.” (Chris, [22:19])
• On Olympic silver mascots: “You get given little medals, or ‘Milo and Tina’—the stoat mascot. Someday, you’re gonna want that stuffed animal!” (Dan, [19:48])
• Emotional and cultural stakes highlighted: “Most viewed women’s Olympic hockey game of all time—7.7 million watching. What a show. We’ll get a bunch of them on the show soon.” (Dan, [23:33])

2. Men’s Semi-Finals Analysis

Canada vs Finland – Grueling, Surprising Battle

Team News and Lineup Drama

• Sidney Crosby out of the lineup, but there’s optimism he’ll play the gold medal game:
  • “There’s hope… This could be Sid’s last Olympics. I really think he’s gonna play.” (Dan, [26:07])
• Connor McDavid wore the ‘C’ in Crosby’s absence but was reluctant, respecting Sid’s status:
  • “He gets all these questions, he’s like, ‘I’m just keeping it warm for Sid… it belongs to Sid, it’s a crime that I’m doing this.’” (Dan, [28:25])
• Canadian coaches tweaked the lines:
  • “Loved that they didn’t start with ‘MicMac’ (McDavid, MacKinnon, Macklin Celebrini) line… mixed it up, gave Jarvey a shot up there with Nate Dogg.” (Chris, [29:24])

Game Breakdown

• Finland’s underdog script: Outshot and out-possessed, but capitalized on Canada’s mistakes and seized a 2-0 lead with a PP goal (Rantanen) and a shorthanded tally from Erik Haula.

  • “Sam Bennett back on his bullshit, can’t quit running the blue paint!” (Chris, [33:19])
  • “It’s a daunting task, but Finland gets a faceoff goal, then a shorty. Now the air is sucked out of the arena.” (Dan, [35:41])

• Hosts critique Finland’s strategy:

  • “Once you go up two goals by accident against a monster like Canada and then just try to survive? You can’t do it. I don’t care how good Soros is, you don’t survive if you play not to lose.” (Dan, [38:30])
  • Rantanen quote post-game praised: “When you defend 30 seconds a shift, then have to go on offense? It’s impossible. You’re in a washing machine on high.” (Dan, [38:30])

Canada Roars Back – Key Turning Points

• Canada’s depth and resilience showed:
  • Reinhart tipped in a power play goal to start the comeback; then Theodore tied it at 2-2 in the third.
• Finland passed up challenging for goalie interference:
  • “If you’re Finland, how do you NOT challenge that? Marshy took out Soros, he absolutely does not get reset. A very questionable no-call.” (Dan, [48:33])
• Penalties loom large:
  • “Penalties totally determined this game. That blows.” (Dan, [55:28])

Clutch Moment

• With under 3 minutes left, MacKinnon drew a high-stick penalty and then scored the game-winner on the power play.
  • “You never want to be the guy in the box. But it was a penalty. Mikola was sick. As a player, I’ve been there. The boys want that kill for him, but…” (Chris, [54:35])

Canada’s Standouts

• Macklin Celebrini (age 19): “Most important player on Team Canada right now. Over 25 min of ice. All-time line.” (Chris, [56:28])
• Connor McDavid: Tournament points record (13), closing in on greatest all-time Olympic marks.
• Soros (Finland): “Have to say—cannot say enough good about Soros—he was incredible.” (Chris, [57:33])

Canadian Team Outlook

• “It’s good for them that these games have been hard. Adversity is what you want going into a gold medal game vs USA.” (Dan, [59:55])
• “They’re always in it. But honestly, they haven’t looked as comfortable as I thought they would. I’m kind of shocked there wasn’t another gear.” (Chris, [59:44])
• “Canada’s got the USA right where they want them. They’ve dealt with every bit of adversity.” (Dan, [59:46])

USA vs Slovakia – Businesslike Demolition

Pre-Game Narrative

• Aware of the “media danger zone” of underestimating Slovakia, the hosts implore Team USA to focus and take care of business, not underestimate the underdogs.
  • “People want to be cool and say, ‘Slovaks could upset.’ But this roster? No excuse. USA looked at this Slovakia team and said, ‘Nope, we’re better.’” (Dan, [68:14])

Game Flow

• The USA started hot and never let up:

  • First period: Larkin goal, Tage Thompson PP tally.
  • Second period: “Jack off session”—Jack Hughes, Jack Eichel, Jack Hughes again.
    • “The United States of America was jacking off in the second.” (Dan, [69:34])

• Slovakia’s tournament run was overmatched:

  • “You have four NHLers, no NHL goalie… half your team probably works in finance in the offseason.” (Red, [65:43])

• Game chippiness late concerned the hosts:

  • “If any USA guys get hurt in this one, disaster.” (Dan, [77:09])
  • “Pray Tage [Thompson] is okay.” (Dan, [77:24])

US Standouts

• Jack Hughes:
  • “To Jack Hughes haters: it’s time to stop. He’s proven everyone wrong. Brilliance, poise, drew penalties, scored big goals.” (Dan, [75:15])
• Hellabuyck (goalie): “Wanted the shutout for Heli, just so he comes out of this like, ‘I’m a brick wall.’ But fine—he’s dialed.” (Chris, [78:44])

Atmosphere and National Pride

• Huge difference in crowd engagement between Canada House and Winter House (US):
  • “At the Canada House, wall-to-wall energy. At the USA Winter House? People were just chilling, backs to the screen. This is why we have a hard time competing!” (Chris, [81:04])
  • “Let this be a rallying cry. Get up for these boys.” (Dan, [81:55])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

"This women’s team, US team, is the greatest female team ever. They are going to roll over Canada in the final, just like they did in the round robin… this is a nightmare for the US Team because you have everything to lose." (Chris, [04:00])

"I fell head over heels in love with Laura Stacey in that game. Team Canada. She was all fucking over the ice." (Dan, [10:19])

"If that [penalty] was a fiver, this game is hova. It was a tough hit. Six and a half minutes left, could’ve ended it." (Chris, [13:26])

"In the fucking gold medal game at the Olympics we’re doing three-on-three… for these ladies who don’t even play three-on-three? It was mayhem." (Dan, [14:42])

“Game. Called game. Blouses.” (Chris, [17:01], quoting Chappelle’s Show/Prince)

“Caroline Harvey. Most points by a D, all-star, best D, plus 14, tour MVP… but Empty Netters MVP has to be Aaron Frankel—she could not be scored on!” (Dan & Chris, [21:22, 22:02])

"Canada’s always in it. But honestly, they haven’t looked as comfortable as I thought they would… but adversity is what you want going into a gold medal game." (Chris & Dan, [59:44, 59:55])

"[USA] was jacking off hard. Jack off session. Second period—Jack Hughes goal, Jack Eichel goal, Jack Hughes goal… The US was jacking off in the second." (Dan, [69:34])

“My biggest fear going into the final against a nation: at US Winter House people had their backs to the game. This attitude is why we have a hard time competing with Canada. Turn around! It's the Olympic semi-final!” (Chris, [80:55])

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 00:43 – 05:51: Setting up the women’s gold medal game, house atmosphere, U.S. vs. Canada global rivalry
• 07:26 – 09:52: Pre-game nerves, high expectations for U.S. dominance, Canadian poise
• 10:19 – 13:26: Game-flow, key player performances (Stacey, Ambrose), pivotal moments
• 14:36 – 16:44: Dramatic tying goal by Hilary Knight, 3-on-3 OT, Abby Murphy’s huge defensive play
• 16:44 – 17:23: OT-winning goal, captain Keller, celebration
• 19:18 – 20:24: Mascot “Milo and Tina”/stuffed animal ceremony
• 21:22 – 22:42: Caroline Harvey & Aaron Frankel recognized (MVP, dominant stat lines)
• 25:20 – 28:25: Men’s semi-final, Crosby injury, McDavid wearing the ‘C’
• 29:24 – 33:33: Canadian line combinations, Finland’s strong start, Sam Bennett’s “blue-paint” antics
• 35:53 – 38:30: Finland’s strategy under scrutiny, Canada’s response
• 41:44 – 43:34: Reinhart’s power-play goal, momentum shift
• 46:16 – 48:47: High-stick calls, Canada’s tying goal, missed goalie interference challenge
• 51:51 – 55:31: Penalty on Mikola, MacKinnon PP-winner, hosts’ empathy for losing player
• 56:28 – 57:23: Celebrini’s rise, McDavid’s record chase
• 63:47 – 68:14: USA-Slovakia, America’s odds, dismissing media “upset” talk
• 69:34 – 75:15: “Jack off” period, Jack Hughes’ star turn, team celebration
• 77:24 – 77:51: Tage Thompson injury worries
• 78:36 – 78:44: Hellebuyck’s tune-up, defensive lapses, host analysis
• 80:01 – 81:55: USA House atmosphere critique, call to arms for national pride
• 82:31 – 84:50: Gold medal game predictions (all predicting close Canadian win or OT thriller, but split on result)
• 84:50 – End: Housekeeping, where to find the Empty Netters crew, shout outs to fans and preview of gold medal coverage

Episode Tone & Style

The Empty Netters bring locker room camaraderie, biting humor, and deep hockey know-how to their analysis. They blend irreverence (lots of “jacking off” jokes, classic movie references) and genuine admiration for Olympians of all nations. The tone shifts fluidly between light-hearted banter, raw emotion around game moments, and serious reflections on legacy, pressure, and respect for the athletes.

For New Listeners

This episode offers a perfect snapshot of the Empty Netters Podcast’s strengths: insightful, up-close Olympic hockey analysis; access to player and family perspectives; rapid-fire, relatable humor; and real-time reactions to the sport’s biggest moments. Even if you missed these games, you’ll feel like you were in the building, living every shot, celebration, and heartbreak.

Don’t miss Sunday’s recap—hosts will be “boots on the ground, in the building” for the highly anticipated USA vs. Canada men’s gold medal game.

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