Danica Patrick turns Canada’s Olympic heartbreak into viral Instagram roast

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26 February 2026 at 06:31

Former race car driver superstar Danica Patrick went to Instagram to comment about the United States win over Canada in the Olympic men’s hockey gold medal game on Sunday. In a rather humorous post, Patrick said the following according to Jaclyn Hendricks of the New York Post:

“If Canada had been smart and become the 51st state, they’d be gold medalists right now.”

Why did Patrick make the comment?

Feb 24, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; President Donald J. Trump delivers the first State of the Union address of his second term to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber of the United States Capitol in Washington on Tuesday. Mandatory Credit: Kenny Holston-Pool Photo via Imagn Images

It is because of United States President Donald Trump’s desire to make Canada the 51st state of the United States. Many Canadians have zero interest to be part of the United States.

However, there is starting to be a genuine percentage of the population who would support becoming Americans. These people are those who are extremely frustrated with the Liberal Government.

What happened in the gold medal game?

The United States won by a score of 2-1. The overtime hero was Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils.

Hughes of Orlando, Florida, who was actually raised in Toronto, scored at 1:41 of the extra period from Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski of Grosse Pointe, Michigan and Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck of Commerce Township, Michigan.

This was only the third gold medal in men’s hockey for the United States in the history of the Olympic Winter Games. They previously won gold at the 1960 Olympic Winter Games in Squaw Valley and the 1980 Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid.

Memorable time for Hellebuyck

Feb 22, 2026; Milan, Italy; Connor Hellebuyck #37 of Team United States celebrates after winning the goal medal game against Team Canada during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Despite his struggles in meaningful hockey games throughout his career, you could make the argument that Hellebuyck had the game of his life on Sunday. He made 41 saves on 42 shots and was simply better than Canadian goaltender Jordan Binnington.

By being the better goaltender on Sunday, Binnington was honoured during the State of the Union Address on Tuesday. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.