Part 3/7:
The argument was made that the NHL’s moment in the sun was not a result of the sport’s innate appeal but rather due to political dynamics. The political backdrop connected to the teams and players led some to assert that, without such external influences—such as a politically charged matchup—they would struggle to gather similar interest. Given that a game between Canada and Sweden wouldn’t have drawn the same crowds, the NHL might have struck gold with an undercurrent of division that resonated widely.
The commentary took a playful jibe at the league's inability to capitalize on the buzz generated, suggesting that perhaps they should be sending gratitude to the political circumstances that ignited public interest.