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Team USA’s men’s hockey captain returned to his NHL home ice — ScotiaBank Arena in Toronto — and the Canadian stalwart could have made things a lot worse for him during his homecoming.
Matthews, who helped Team USA beat Canada in the gold medal game, knew he would return north of the border at some point to continue his 2025-26 NHL season. But the recognition he received was surprisingly positive despite being part of the team that upset Canada in Milan.
During a stoppage in the game against the Ottawa Senators, led by Matthews’ American teammate Brady Tkachuk, the Maple Leafs gave recognition to the three players on their team who represented their countries in the Milan Cortina Games.
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Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs warms up before facing the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Arena on February 28, 2026 in Toronto. (Mark Blinch/NHLI)
After introducing Swedish stars William Nylander and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, the arena PA announcer introduced the Leafs’ “gold medalist” captain in Matthews, who received some jeers at first.
Then the entire arena rose to give Matthews a standing ovation as he was called off the speaker. So instead of ripping into Matthews for what happened overseas, the fans gave their veteran captain a standing ovation before play resumed.
The TSN broadcast also showed Tkachuk on his Senators bench, looking up at the video board and smiling when Matthews was called.
USA’s Auston Matthews, right, celebrates after scoring his team’s fifth goal during a preliminary round men’s ice hockey match between the United States and Germany at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Mathews was among the Team USA stars to visit President Donald Trump and the White House ahead of his State of the Union address, which sparked significant backlash and criticism.
The players stood firm and pointed to their American pride as to why they decided to take the Air Force jet to the White House after their historic victory over Canada.
And before he returned to his Canadian home ice, Matthews and the Maple Leafs were in Tampa Bay against the Lightning, where fans at Amalie Arena gave the visitors a loud reaction. A brief ovation from Lyn fans also rained down on the ice for him.
While Matthews has enjoyed winning his gold medal, it’s been a rough stretch for Toronto this season. They sit at the bottom of the Atlantic Division with a record of 27-24-9 (63 points), having now lost three games in a row after the 5-2 loss to the Senators.
Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates with the puck in the first period against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Arena on March 1, 2026 in Toronto. (Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
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Matthews had an assist in the loss, while Tkachuk did the same for his winning team. Nylander scored one of the Maple Leafs’ two goals.
