Work Text:
The Olympic hockey finale between the USA and Canada was already supposed to be a thriller. But no one could have predicted the Shakespearean comedy that followed after the US team’s win in overtime. It disclosed two of the greatest mysteries of this year’s Games in a three-act finale and is going to shake the foundations of the hockey world itself.
Milano. While everyone was mentally preparing for the final act of this year’s Olympic Games — the closing ceremony in Verona — the actual climax took place in the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.
And what a climax it was! Pure magic!
Instead of Romeo and Juliet in Verona we got A Midwinter’s Night Dream on an ice rink in Milano, even though it was still afternoon when the final curtain fell in the men’s hockey tournament. The game was to decide the winner of the last gold medal of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.
After three periods of suspense-packed hockey, Canada and the USA went into overtime. Yet it was the events afterwards that still boggle our minds several hours later. And I predict they will do so for a very long time. After all, it won’t be easy to wrap our minds around what happened on the rink.
Everything revolves around Dean Winchester. When the 21-year star center of Team USA scored, he not only secured Gold but ended a 46-year drought for the US boys. That alone would have been headline-grabbing. However, what happened only a few seconds later blew the minds of every spectator in the arena, and of everyone who was watching the game at home.
No one is going to forget this hockey finale. It will go down in history. Especially since it’s going to shatter hockey as we know it. It has already riled up fans and officials around the world, and it’s not going to stop there.
Because only seconds after he scored, Winchester raced across the ice to his goalie. And, wow, he left no doubt that Steve Allen is indeed his!
Or shall I say Castiel Novak?!
Yes, that Castiel Novak. It was a shock when Winchester revealed the gold medalist in figure skating as the mystery man behind the mask.
It was Novak who administered incredible 17 saves during his short stint in the game and paved the way for gold. In particular, when he preserved his team’s chances with only one second left on the clock of the third period. Who would have expected a 2026 Olympic champion behind the secret identity of our favorite goalie? (Sorry Cesar, we still love you.)
Though neither Novak nor Winchester were done with their show. Of course, they weren’t. How could they? After all, these were their Games. And no one in their right mind will object to that fact.
These two were on fire. And, boy, what a firework they ignited! Literal sparks flew when Winchester claimed Novak’s lips, and left no doubt about the status of their relationship.
But doesn’t that ring a bell? Novak, gold medal, and a mind-boggling kiss?
It felt like a déjà vu! Because just a little over a week ago, Castiel Novak had been welcomed with a steaming kiss right after his record-breaking free skate. The culprit back then: Michael Campbell — silver medalist in the same event.
Did Dean Winchester steal Michael Campbell’s boyfriend? Or did he—?
Yes, he did!
Throughout the last week, the rumors of Campbell’s identity have peaked with no other than Dean Winchester leading the betting pools. Due to his documentary with Novak the rumor mill went full speed.
And as if the Sunday afternoon in Milano hadn’t unearthed enough secrets around those two superstars, Dean Winchester put the cherry on the cake.
He was still wearing his protective gear when he cleared the ice from gloves, helmets, and sticks for a bonus show. Winchester only discarded his gloves and helmet for the unexpected, but very welcomed last act of the figure skating competition.
We have always known that Winchester is one of the best skaters in the league, though little did we suspect how good he really is: silver medal material, actually.
Hockey skates aren’t made for figure skating, and yet, it looked so easy when Winchester glided over the ice. He even added Campbell’s trademark backflip at the end of his performance to leave no doubts: Dean Winchester is Michael Campbell.
Or do I need to say Michael Campbell is Dean Winchester?
Whatever it is, fact is these Games end with four 2026 Olympic medals between Dean Winchester and Castiel Novak. They not only won gold in hockey this afternoon, but silver in figure skating team event, and gold and silver, respectively, in the men single skating.
What an afternoon, and what amazing Games for these two!
Though, after the Games is before the Games, right? And this season is far from over. We are very curious how the NHL will welcome Winchester after the Olympic Games break. After all, he is now the first openly queer star of the league — unless we count Novak as well.
We will definitely see Winchester in the playoffs. So, good luck to you, Mr. Winchester! Are we going to see Novak play as well? After all, his team is on the best way to get a wild card.
Or will he solely focus on the Figure Skating World Championships in Prague at the end of March? And what about Winchester? Will we see him back in Europe soon?
Stay tuned for the next news on these two in this paper! I, for sure, can’t wait for the rest of the season. It’s definitely going to be a very hot spring this year.