'All the emotions': Regina hockey fans devastated as U.S. takes Olympics gold in OT

There were cries of anxiety, joy and ultimately sorrow at the 4Seasons Sports Palace in Regina as Canada's men fell to the U.S. team in overtime at the Olympics hockey final on Sunday.

Groans erupted from the crowd as U.S. forward Jack Hughes scored the 2-1 game winner in overtime. 

“My heart just sank in my chest,” said Niko Milette, who was among dozens of people who arrived early at the pub to watch the puck drop just after 7 a.m. CT. 

Milette said the game “wrenched on his heart strings” multiple times, but that the Canadian squad fought hard throughout. 

“It made me very angry, it made me very happy — all the emotions," he said. 

The Americans took an early lead, with U.S. forward Matt Boldy scoring on Canada’s Jordan Binnington six minutes into the first period, after breaking past both Cale Makar and Devon Toews.  

Makar later tied the game for Canada 1-1 late in the second period, prompting screams of joy across Saskatchewan, where many bars took advantage of extended liquor serving hours during the Olympics, allowing alcohol to be served as early as 5 a.m.   

Several told CBC they applied for the temporary permits primarily for the men’s hockey gold medal match. 

Milette said despite the heartbreaking end, the Canadians fought hard and had a lot of chances. 

“They’re still getting a silver medal, so I’m very proud of them,” he said. 

Being able to watch the game with his friends and family, even with the early morning start, was the best part, he said. “It’s a day of unity and it brought everybody together.” 

“Hockey brought us all together and made us all united. We put everything aside, all our views and our opinions, and we all came together for one great team.” 

Jude Lemoine arrived just in time to see Canada tie the game during the second period. 

“It was a pretty stressful morning,” he said, but Olympics hockey “is the best hockey you can watch.”