The atmosphere in Milan is currently electric. While at Miss Salsa we are used to wooden floors and the rhythms of salsa and bachata, this week we are keeping a close eye on the ice of the Milano Santagiulia Arena. On the fourth day of the 2026 Winter Games, an event took place there that shook the sports world to its foundations: the clash between the women of Canada and the United States.
A historic shutout on the ice
For those who follow the ice hockey world a little, the rivalry between Canada and the USA is comparable to the biggest finals in the dance world. It is a battle of technique, strength, and above all, a flawless sense of timing. But what we saw today was unprecedented. The American women defeated Canada by no less than 5-0. This is not just any victory; it is the first time in the history of the Olympic Games that the Canadian women failed to score a single goal in a match.
In my 30 years in the dance world, I have learned that momentum is everything. Once a choreography falters, it is damn difficult to get back into the flow. We saw that today with Canada. Without their injured captain Marie-Philip Poulin, the Canadians seemed to have completely lost their rhythm. The American team, on the other hand, literally danced around the defense. With goals from Caroline Harvey, Hannah Bilka (who scored two!), Kirsten Simms, and Laila Edwards, the Americans showed that their 'footwork' is currently on another level.
The choreography of the power play
As a dance expert, I look at ice hockey through a different lens. A power play is essentially a complex group choreography where the space on the ice must be used optimally. The USA executed this perfectly today. The speed with which the puck went from stick to stick reminded me of a lightning-fast salsa combination where every handshake and every turn falls exactly on the beat. American Abbey Murphy was the director of this show with three assists, constantly staying one step ahead of the Canadian defense.
According to the live coverage from The Guardian, the dominance of the United States was so great that Canada's netminder Ann-Renee Desbiens, despite her efforts, simply had no answer to the waves of attacks. It was a masterclass in precision.
From ice hockey to figure skating: Theater on ice
While the hockey women engaged in physical battle, at the Milano Ice Skating Arena it was all about pure aesthetics during the men's short program. And this is where my passion for dance really comes into play. Italian Daniel Grassl pumped up the home crowd with a score of 93.46, putting him in a provisional fourth place. But the real standout for dance enthusiasts was Aleksandr Selevko from Estonia.
Selevko appeared on the ice in purple sequins and skated to 'Kiss' by Prince. That is showing guts. In the dance world, we know: if you use Prince, your performance must be solid as a rock. It was funky, it was theatrical, and it brought a much-needed dose of entertainment to the competition. Although he didn't finish at the top technically (that honor went to American Ilia Malinin with a monstrous score of 108.16), Selevko was the moral winner for everyone who loves a show.
What we as dancers can learn from the Games
You might wonder: what does a 5-0 defeat in ice hockey have to do with my weekly dance class? Actually, everything. In practice, elite sport, just like dance, revolves around three pillars: balance, focus, and resilience.
- Balance: Look at the stability of the skaters. That core stability is exactly what we need for a double spin on the dance floor.
- Focus: Canada lost today because they lacked focus without their leader. In a formation dance, you see exactly the same thing happen when the connection between the dancers is lost.
- Resilience: Picking up the thread immediately after a fall or a mistake. The Canadian women must do this now for their next match against Finland.
Looking to the future: Ice Dance medals
Tomorrow, Wednesday, February 11, will be a big day for true dance fans. That's when the Free Dance is scheduled. The British duo Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson are currently on course for a podium spot. They are fourth after the Rhythm Dance, and the battle for bronze is wide open. This is the segment where the line between sport and art completely blurs. The choreographies we will see there are often inspired by ballroom and Latin techniques that we also cherish at Miss Salsa.
According to the latest updates from the BBC, the pressure on the athletes is enormous, but that is where the most beautiful performances come from. Whether it's a hard-hitting puck in the top corner or a perfectly executed twizzle in ice dance, the passion is the same.
It is quite special to see how these Winter Games in Italy bridge the gap between the raw power of hockey and the elegance of figure skating. For us in the Netherlands, it is a reminder that movement, in whatever form, is a universal language. Whether you are on blades or in salsa shoes, it's about that one second where everything clicks.
We will continue to follow the developments in Milan, especially with an eye on tomorrow's ice dance final. For now, it is clear: the USA has set the tone for the women, and Canada must look deep in the mirror to find their rhythm again before the knockout phase begins.