On this occasion, it was Hilary Knight’s moment to spark considerable mirth — aided by the “Saturday Night Live” writers — subsequent to a protracted disagreement concerning the United States women’s and men’s Olympic champion ice hockey squads.
Knight, the skipper of the U.S. female contingent, accompanied by fellow player Megan Keller and men’s team brothers Jack and Quinn Hughes, made an unannounced showing during “Heated Rivalry” star Connor Storrie’s inaugural address on “SNL” on Saturday night.
With the Hughes brothers already present on the platform beside Storrie, Knight and Keller joined them, met with thunderous and prolonged applause. The quartet of athletes sported USA uniforms, their gold medals suspended around their necks.
Knight commenced with the statement: “It was going to be just us, but we thought we’d invite the guys, too.”
The comment explicitly alluded to a dispute that emerged after the men were extended felicitations via phone from President Donald Trump subsequent to their 2-1 extra-time victory against Canada on Sunday at the Milan Cortina Games.
Via a speakerphone, Trump addressed the team, extending an invitation to the men for his State of the Union address, prior to appending that he would also be compelled to include the women. Subsequently, the president asserted that neglecting to invite the women could jeopardize his position through impeachment, a statement that prompted laughter from the athletes, many of whom perceived it as discriminatory against women.
On Wednesday, Knight described the jest as being “distasteful and unfortunate.”
Numerous male players, meanwhile, indicated their laughter stemmed from being swept up in the festivities. Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman admitted they “ought to have responded otherwise” to Trump’s comments.
The U.S. women, having likewise triumphed over Canada 2-1 in extra time three days prior, courteously rejected Trump’s summons owing to their itinerary. The sportswomen journeyed via commercial means, arriving back in North America late Monday night, considerably later than the men, whose travel was facilitated by a charter flight funded by the NHL and its Players’ Association.
Jack Hughes netted the extra-time winning point for the men.
Keller secured the winning point in extra time for the women, with Knight equalizing the contest during the concluding moments of standard play.
Knight is a member of the PWHL’s Seattle Torrent, and journeyed to New York City a mere day following her placement on the long-term injured list. Keller, who represents Boston, hastened to New York mere hours subsequent to competing in the Fleet’s 3-2 victory via shootout in Ottawa earlier that day.
Jack Hughes is affiliated with the NHL New Jersey Devils, and Quinn with the Minnesota Wild.
Knight offered a subsequent witty retort after Quinn Hughes mentioned that the men’s most recent gold triumph occurred 46 years ago at the 1980 Lake Placid Games.
Knight then proceeded to state the women last won in 2018.
With a chuckle, Jack Hughes replied, uttering, “nice burn,” prior to addressing Storrie directly and declaring: “These gold medals are not solely for our benefit. They belong to all enthusiasts of hockey, including yourself.”
Upon Storrie’s inquiry about donning one of the medals, the quartet of athletes pivoted and vocalized, “No.”
“Heated Rivalry” has rapidly achieved widespread acclaim after its debut season on HBO Max. Derived from Rachel Reid’s 2019 novel, its narrative centers on a homosexual ice hockey love story where two athletes from rival squads maintain a clandestine, enduring liaison.