Roaring crowd of 8,992 sets a new Para ice hockey attendance record at Milan Cortina for US vs Italy

MILAN (AP) — The opening Para ice hockey match at the Milan Cortina Winter Games set a new record attendance for the sport at a major tournament.

The preliminary round match between four-time defending champion United States and host nation Italy drew 8,992 spectators for a high-octane atmosphere on Saturday night.

That not only broke the previous Paralympic record of 8,462 fans for the gold medal match at the Salt Lake City Games in 2002, but also surpassed the attendance record of 8,600 spectators at the 2019 World Para Ice Hockey championship in the Czech Republic.

“This attendance record is a great source of pride for Milano Cortina 2026 and for the entire Paralympic movement,” local organizing committee CEO Andrea Varnier said on Sunday. “The energy and engagement we are experiencing across our venues demonstrate just how powerful and inspiring Paralympic sports can be.

“Seeing nearly nine thousand people in the stands for a Para ice hockey game is a tangible sign of the Games’ lasting legacy, while celebrating talent, determination and team spirit.”

The home crowd roared in delight — and surprise — when Italy took a shock lead just 25 seconds after the puck dropped.

The U.S., which has won the Para ice hockey tournament at five of the past six Winter Paralympics, roared back to win 14-1.

“Seeing that that was the first one that was scheduled, I thought it was really cool just because coming out of the COVID Paralympics in Beijing and not a lot of people, I figured it was going to be a lot fun in Italy,” U.S. coach David Hoff said. “It certainly was a great environment today, really a fun start for us today in an atmosphere like this.

“In sled hockey you don’t get this, with a packed house like this tonight and people out there, you know, the crowd, the cheering and everything like that. That’s cool for these guys too to play in that environment.”

AP Winter Paralympics: https://apnews.com/hub/paralympic-games

United States' Malik Jones, centre, challenges for the puck with Italy's Eusebiu Antochi, left, and Italy's Alessandro Andreoli during the Group A hockey match between United States and Italy at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

United States' players reacts after winning the Group A hockey match between United States' and Italy at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

United States' Jack Wallace, right, challenges for the puck with Italy's Christoph Depaoli during the Group A hockey match between United States and Italy at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Italy and United States' players at the end of the Group A hockey match between United States' and Italy at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

United States' Malik Jones, left, scores during the Group A hockey match between United States and Italy the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) — Slovenia’s parliament on Friday appointed right-wing populist politician Janez Jansa as the new prime minister, in a shift for the small European Union country that was previously run by a liberal government.

Lawmakers backed Jansa in a 51-36 vote in the 90-member assembly. The new prime minister will need to come back to Parliament within the next 15 days for another vote to confirm his future Cabinet.

Jansa's appointment concludes a postelection stalemate in Slovenia after a parliamentary ballot two months ago ended practically in a tie. Former liberal Prime Minister Robert Golob's Freedom Movement won by a thin margin but he was unable to muster a parliamentary majority.

Jansa and his populist Slovenian Democratic Party signed a coalition agreement this week with several right-wing groups. The new government also has the backing of a nonestablishment Truth party that first emerged as an anti-vaccination movement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new term in office will be the fourth for the veteran Slovenian politician. Jansa, 67, is an admirer of U.S. President Donald Trump and was a close ally of former populist Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who was defeated in a landslide election last month.

Jansa in a speech listed the economy, fight against corruption and red tape, and decentralization as key goals of the future government. He has promised to lower taxes for the rich and support private education and healthcare.

Critical of the previous government's alleged “inefficiency," Jansa said the new government will turn Slovenia into “a country of opportunity, prosperity and justice, where each responsible citizen will feel safe and accepted."

Like Orban, Jansa was staunchly anti-immigrant during the huge migration wave to Europe in 2015. Also like Orban, Jansa has faced accusations of clamping down on democratic institutions and press freedoms during a previous term in 2020-2022. This led to protests at the time, and scrutiny from the European Union.

Golob in his speech described Jansa as “the greatest threat to Slovenia’s sovereignty and democracy."

Alleging that Jansa had threatened to arrest him, Golob said Jansa's "idea of democracy is that anyone who dares speak a word against you deserves only the worst.”

Jansa, a supporter of Israel, also has been a stern critic of the Golob government's 2024 recognition of a Palestinian state.

The vote on March 22 was marred by allegations of foreign influence and corruption. The around 2 million people in the Alpine nation are deeply divided between liberals and conservatives.

Janez Jansa, center, addresses the Slovenian Parliament during a session in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Friday, May 22, 2026, before appointing him as prime minister, ending a political deadlock after tight elections in March. (AP Photo/Igor Kupljenik)

Janez Jansa arrives for a session of the Slovenian Parliament in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Friday, May 22, 2026, before appointing him as prime minister, ending a political deadlock after tight elections in March. (AP Photo/Igor Kupljenik)

Janez Jansa addresses the Slovenian Parliament during a session in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Friday, May 22, 2026, before appointing him as prime minister, ending a political deadlock after tight elections in March. (AP Photo/Igor Kupljenik)