Psst! Post 259.
Well played. From a total non-expert, that was a hell of a game. I thought we had a chance when we tied it up right near the end there. sigh I have a huge soft spot for Canada so I am happy for them, especially it being a home Olympics and all. It could have gone either way from what I could tell.
I do wish the US guys had been given a few minutes to go somewhere private and get the first being-pissed-because-we-lost-the-game out of their systems before the medals. I wanted to smack them and tell them, “Look, guys, it’s not like a silver is a bad thing!”
Sounds like a cheap punchline to a bad joke: “I went to a street party and a hockey game broke out.” Or something like that. 
If the news footage was anything to go by, it sure looked like the biggest party Toronto has ever had. Wish I could have been there for it–in spite of the fact that I haven’t lived there for some years, Toronto is still pretty special to me.
Also, pretty much everyone was walking down the street with these big, goofy grins on their faces. For a city that has a reputation of being cold, it was a welcome change.
It was kind of a surreal moment, it was so much fun just to stand there and soak it in.
Shit…
Here on the West Coast, it’s incredible. Even staid Victoria, BC has gone completely nuts. Douglas Street is down to one lane in each direction, and Government Street has been closed by the cops. I went out and joined the party right after, and it was fantastic. It’s like the Stanley Cup that Vancouver never won - I can only imagine what the party is like there!
I haven’t felt this good about a hockey game since 1972!
And to any supporters of Team USA, your side played a fantastic game today. Kudos to every one of them!
This was probably the best game I’ve ever watched on TV. I was a bit too young to care too much about the Lemieux goal from Gretzky. I was disappointed with the USA Canada Cup win over Canada. 2002 olympic gold was good, but this game was outstanding. Come from behind tie to 2-2. A pulled goalie goal to tie it up with 26seconds left was amazing, then to have Crosby of all people to finish it off with the “golden goal”. Now if this game doesn’t increase NHL viewership I don’t know what will.
This is us directly after the winning goal, singing from the balcony of our hotel to the people in the pub across the street. No alcohol had been consumed during the course of the game. Well, maybe a little…
A few good voices in there. 
I really need to go to sleep but I’m still too pumped to even try. Plus I found the game on the CTV website so I’ve watched the overtime 3 more times. Each time it goes down smoother.
Replaying the entire game on Rogers Sportsnet. It’s currently 2-0 midway through the second. Maybe the boys will stay aggressive this time and they won’t have to go into overtime, because I should really be getting to bed.
Very nice - good harmonies and everything.
Watched the game from a bar in Hobart, Tasmania with my two brothers and a few other Canadians who happened to be in the area and it really was a hell of a game. Kinda wished I was back home but still a neat story to tell people.
One thing struck me, in 4 years should NHLers be at the olympics, you Americans will have one heck of a team and I wouldn’t be surprised if you came in as the favorite after this performance. Spectacular young talent and a goalie who fixes to be great for a long long time. I’m really hoping for a rematch in that final (us Canadians should be pretty decent as well).
Congrats Americans, you were tons better than I had ever imagined you would be - and it wasn’t just the goalie. With the Johnson boys anchoring your back end and with Parise and Kane up front, plug anyone in and that’s a great team (Ryan, Van Riemsdyk [sp?], etc should be stars by then).
This is much more satisfying than 8 years ago, feels like we earned it this time.
Really great game, couldn’t have asked for a better one.
Also all four Canes players at the Olympics got medals.
Statistically, it’s almost impossible for Canada to NOT be the favourite, but I agree in principle; the USA put together a young team that was really, really dangerous. If this is indicative of the state of player development in the USA, they’ll surpass all other countries as the country Canada has to keep beating.
Of course, this is the way the USA has beaten the major hockey powers in these sorts of tournaments in the past; stick with young players and play to the strength of youth - up-tempo games that require energy and conditioning. It’s the American formula, it works, and if they’re smart (and all indications are that they are) they’ll cycle in even more youth in 2014.
Contrast this with 2002, when the Americans had what on paper looked like a better team than the 2010 edition, but were clearly overmatched in the gold medal game. They tried to be like Canada and failed. To beat a country with way more superstars you need to find your own angle and exploit it. The USA likes to exploit youth and speed. And it not only got them a silver, but it makes for really fun hockey.
Well, my plane was delayed for five hours, so I couldn’t catch the game. But given that it’s apparently still accessible, I’ll probably watch it soon enough.
I’ve discovered religion:
Our father, who art in Vancouver, hockey be thy name. Thy will be done, the gold be won, for the women, as well as the men. Give us this day, an American loss, and forgive us our penalties as we forgive those who cross check against us. Lead us not into elimination, but deliver us to victory. In the name of Gretzky, Lemieux, and Gordie Howe. Amen
First off, hell of a game and I too am proud of our American players going beyond everyone’s expectations, and happy to see our neighbors regain their prominence in the sport. A gold would have been awesome though, I won’t deny that…but hey one goal difference (between gold and silver) in the whole tournament means that we can play with the best of them.
It will continue to be sour if they have to be constantly reminded when both sides return to their respective NHL teams and see their Canadian counterparts getting the fan recognition, backslaps from other players, coaches, managers, owners, etc. while they get consolitary comments, constant local media questions/interviews, locker room one-upsmanship, etc. Maybe the Stanley Cup will ease the pain for one team that had American olympic players, but those men will politely display outwardly towards all, but some will harbor anger and resentment inwardly for years.
For our local teams, it means that Doughty pwned!!! Brown, J. Johnson and Quick (and Handzus) and that Getzlaf, Perry, Niedermayer pwned!!! Ryan. I will be at the Kings first home game against Montreal this Saturday to see how our local announcers, media and the fans respond to our boys from both countries.
We will see.
But I wonder how Denver will respond tonight to Rafalski and coach Babcock when they takes his Red Wings to go against Stastny and the Avalanche.
Ack.
“…when the Red Wings go against Stastny and the Avalanche.”
Received in an email from an old g/f in L.A. who was rooting for Canada: