Don’t be surprised if you see Boris Rybalka pacing outside the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena this morning. It’s his ritual, his way of preparing for the biggest moments. The Canadian Para ice hockey coach has always been this way-focused, intense, and deeply connected to the game.

I’ve seen it before. Back in 2007 when I covered the Alberta Junior Hockey League, Rybalka was leading the Camrose Kodiaks. He was a man of superstitions, a coach who lived and breathed every moment of the game.

Before a crucial playoff game against the Fort Saskatchewan Traders, Rybalka paced a tight five-foot radius on the north side of the Max MacLean Arena. He didn’t speak. He didn’t stop. He just paced, lost in thought, preparing for what was to come. That night, the Kodiaks triumphed 4-1.

But not all pacing leads to glory. A year later, in the Ed Whalen Arena in Cornwall, Rybalka paced again before the Kodiaks faced the Humboldt Broncos in the national final. The silence, the focus, the ritual - it was all there. But the result was different. The Kodiaks fell 1-0.

Now, Rybalka finds himself on the world stage, leading Team Canada into the gold medal game of the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Paralympics. The stakes couldn’t be higher.

The rivalry between Canada and the United States in Para ice hockey is one of the greatest in the sport. It mirrors the intense cross-border competition seen in Olympic hockey, but with its own unique history of dominance and redemption.

“The rivalry is huge,” Rybalka says. “Just like the female program and the male program, and also the Para program, Canada vs. USA is the rivalry the world wants to see.”

And the world will watch. This isn’t just a game. It’s a battle of pride, history, and redemption.

Both teams have been dominant in the tournament. The United States has bulldozed their way to the final, outscoring opponents 40-3, including a commanding 6-1 semifinal win over Czechia. Canada, too, remains undefeated, grinding out a 4-2 victory over China in the semis.

But this isn’t just about the 2026 Games. This is about decades of rivalry.

For years, the Americans have reigned supreme. Since 2010, Team USA has built a dynasty, winning four consecutive Paralympic gold medals. The heartbreak of 2018 still lingers for Canada. Leading 1-0 with less than a minute left, Canada hit the post on an empty net. The Americans tied it with 37 seconds left, then won in overtime.

But Canada has fought back. In 2024, Canada finally broke the drought, defeating the USA 2-1 to win the World Para Ice Hockey Championship in Calgary. That victory gave this Canadian roster belief. And now, they’re ready to dethrone the Americans in Milan.

The The Paralympics is the top!” Rybalka says. “Just like the Olympics is the top! You are playing against the world’s best, and you have an entire country watching and cheering you on for gold. You do not want to let down your country. The pride you have, and the pride Canada has. You live for this moment. You dream of this moment. And now it is a reality to bring the gold home to Canada.”

This isn’t just a game. It’s a nation’s pride.

For the gold medal Para ice hockey game this Sunday, there will be roughly 11,500 people in the stands. The game is being held at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan. While the arena has a maximum capacity of 14,000 for some events, the organizers have capped the seating at 11,500 for the Paralympic final.

The stars will decide this one. For the USA, Declan Farmer is the player to watch. Often called the “Connor McDavid of Para hockey,” Farmer has shattered records in Milan, setting a new Paralympic benchmark for goals and points in a single tournament. Then there’s Josh Pauls, the long-time captain and face of the American team, chasing his fifth consecutive Paralympic gold medal.

Canada has its own heroes. Tyler McGregor, the heart and soul of the team, has been instrumental in its 2026 run. He scored twice in the semifinal against China and leads by example. And then there’s Rybalka, the coach who paces, the coach who believes.

“The team and staff are prepared and at peace with everything,” Rybalka says. “They have trained all year for this moment. The coaches are prepared. The team is prepared. Time to go play some hockey and win a gold for Canada.”

As the sun rises over Milan, Rybalka will pace. He’ll prepare in his own way, just as he always has. Because this isn’t just a game. It’s Canada vs. USA. It’s gold on the line. It’s the rivalry the world wants to see.

TAIT: Long history behind para sports, and Canada-USA rivalry

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