TORONTO – A sea of red and white filled Real Sports on Sunday morning, where fans in Team Canada jerseys gathered early to watch Canada take on France in Olympic men’s hockey.
Despite the 10:30 a.m. puck drop, the downtown sports bar buzzed with energy. Tables were packed with families and groups of friends, some balancing breakfast plates alongside pints, others sitting shoulder-to-shoulder near the massive screens as Canada built a commanding lead.
“We’re winning,” said Brenda Camposeo with a huge laugh, summing up the mood at her table where three generations had gathered for the game. She said she was invited by her daughter and son-in-law, with her husband and other family members joining in. “It’s very interesting and it’s a lot of fun,” she said.
Julia Chidekel, her daughter-in-law, also in a Canadian jersey, cheered another goal as it happened. David, her husband, said he was particularly impressed by a shorthanded marker from Mark Stone. “That was cool,” he said, calling it a standout moment in an already strong showing for Canada.
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The game, by that point, was “very much in the favour of the Canadians,” David added while cradling his son, who seemed just happy to be participating. “So I can’t complain.”
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Nick Gowland, who described the match as “fantastic,” said the biggest thrill was seeing hockey’s elite share the ice.
“Probably just seeing all the best on best. You’ve got (Nathan) McKinnon, (Connor) McDavid, (Sidney) Crosby, Macklin Celebrini, all on the ice at the same time,” he said. “It’s super exciting.”
The early start time tailored to a European audience didn’t dampen spirits.
“It makes sense because of Europe, they’re ahead of us,” said Julia, noting her European roots.
“We’re ready for it; we’re fine with it.”
Gowland agreed the timing was “less than ideal,” but shrugged it off. “Canadians are pretty dedicated, so we’re going to come out and support our team regardless of what time the match is at.”
Others said they’ve watched every Olympic hockey matchup, not just Canada’s.
“We watch all of them. All the hockey. And not only Canada,” Julia said. “We’re big fans.”
Even with Canada’s dominance so far, some supporters noted there is little room for complacency.
“They can get a little comfortable,” Gowland said, warning that with some of the best players in the world, it’s easy to assume “the problem is going to get solved and then no one solves the problem.” He said maintaining intensity, keeping “the pedal on the floor the entire game,” will be critical in later rounds.
Looking ahead, optimism ran high.
“I think we are going to take the gold,” Julia said confidently. “I believe.” Her mother-in-law, Brenda, echoed the sentiment.
Nick predicted Canada would “cruise” until facing tougher opponents like Finland, Sweden or the United States in the semifinals, which he said would be a “great, great match.”
For now, though, the focus inside Real Sports was simple: cheer every shift, celebrate every goal and soak in the moment.
And they got a lot of opportunities to celebrate, as Canada won 10-2.
“We’re happy to be here,” David said, playfully speaking for his toddler son, Angelo. “To be part of the moment.”
As strong applause for Canada broke out once again, the consensus across the bar was clear: early start or not, fans believe this team is on a roll.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 15, 2026.
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