Oilers icons Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux were at Team Canada’s semifinal Olympic match against Finland today, and their reactions showed what everyone in the country was feeling.
Canada pulled off another thrilling comeback, scoring the winning goal with only 35 seconds left in the game. Everyone in Canada was super nervous just like Gretzky and Messier were.

Oilers royalty reacts 🇨🇦🔥
Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier had the PERFECT reaction to Team Canada’s win over Finland — pure pride, pure legacy.
When legends speak, hockey listens. 👀🏒#TeamCanada #Oilers #NHL pic.twitter.com/x9vbEIYYpl
— Great (@Great1019353) February 21, 2026
Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier went viral for their reactions to the Team Canada versus Finland game.
Messier and Gretzky are feeling the stress right now 😅 pic.twitter.com/NSRvhcfUJk
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) February 20, 2026
When Team Canada was one goal behind in the middle of the third period, Gretzky and Messier looked really anxious in the press box, hoping that Team Canada could turn things around. Even NFL star Tom Brady was up there with them.
Wayne Gretzky and Tom Brady taking in the action between Canada and Finland. 🐐🐐 #MilanoCortina206 pic.twitter.com/C4cgJvAuzV
— BarDown (@BarDown) February 20, 2026
When Canada scored to tie the game, the crowd went wild, with so many Canadian fans in the stands. Cameras captured Gretzky celebrating, but he was almost completely surrounded by fans jumping up and down in his section.
Wayne Gretzky on CBC:
“I’m a hockey player. I’m a Canadian, a true Canadian. I want Canada 🇨🇦 to win a gold medal. I’ve never wavered from that. I’ve been friends with prime minsters and presidents. Somehow there’s been a little bit more tension than normal. At the end of the… pic.twitter.com/kJgAp1luqV
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) February 20, 2026
Before the game started, Gretzky was on CBC’s panel to show his support for Team Canada and express his hopes for them to win the Gold Medal.
Gretzky has always been a strong supporter of Connor McDavid throughout his career.
From the very start, when McDavid was picked first overall by the Oilers in 2015, Gretzky backed this young star, drawing attention similar to what he experienced during his own career.
Even if McDavid might not break all of Gretzky’s incredible records, it’s clear that the Great One sees McDavid as the best player in the NHL today and wants him to succeed – including at the Olympics.
Let’s hope Gretzky’s wish comes true and Canada can bring home the Gold Medal on Sunday morning against Team USA.
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