Fiala vs. Doughty: The Civil War Nobody Saw Coming
It’s not just Switzerland against Canada today in Milan. It’s a locker room vendetta spilling onto Olympic ice. We take you behind the scenes of the most personal duel of the Winter Games.
I was speaking with a source close to the Los Angeles Kings organization just before the Olympic break, and the mood wasn't exactly "kumbaya." While the cameras captured smiles and polite handshakes as players departed for Milan, the reality in the Crypto.com Arena corridors was far spicier. Today, Friday the 13th, isn't just a group stage game between Switzerland and Canada. It is the culmination of a season-long chirping war between Kevin Fiala and his captain, Drew Doughty.
You think I'm exaggerating? The buzz among the equipment staff is that there's a four-figure dinner tab riding on this 60-minute clash.
"Kevin has been waiting for this since the schedule dropped. He loves Drew, but nothing motivates Fiala more than proving the 'old guard' wrong." — A confidential source near the Kings' locker room.
The Swiss Maverick's Redemption Arc
Let’s be real for a second (and keep this between us). The last 18 months haven't been a smooth joyride for Fiala. Remember the healthy scratch incident back in late '24? The whispers about his defensive commitment? Those ghosts haven't fully vanished. Coach Jim Hiller has had to manage Fiala with a mix of tough love and shorter leashes.
But here in Italy, wearing the Swiss cross, Fiala transforms. He isn't the "high-risk, high-reward" winger who stresses out his NHL coach. He is the Alpha. With 18 goals and 22 assists for L.A. this season, he's productive, sure. But on international ice? He's a different animal entirely. He knows that today, every time he touches the puck, Doughty will be looking to line him up. And honestly? Fiala lives for that kind of spotlight.
👀 The Real Key to the Matchup?
More Than Just a Game
What’s rarely discussed in the mainstream previews is the contract context. Fiala is deep into that massive seven-year deal. He needs to show he can be a "big game hunter" consistently. A dominant performance against a Canadian roster stacked with NHL elites—including his own defensive mentor—would silence a lot of the critics back in California who still mutter about his plus-minus rating.
So, when the puck drops today, don't just watch the score. Watch the body language during the stoppages. Watch the smirk on Fiala's face if he burns the Canadian defense. This isn't just national pride; it's internal politics playing out on a global stage.
