And We Had the time of our Lives, Like we Never had Before
Mardi gras atmosphere in downtown Vancouver
Walking down to the local pub, I realized how nervous I felt about the unknown. The feeling in my stomach felt like a championship game when I was coaching. You prepared for this moment, put all the best players together as lines and knew once the puck dropped you had no control over the outcome.
You told the boys that there will never be another moment like this. This group of guys would never be together again that they should seize the moment, enjoy it, have fun and be the best that you can be.
I figure this was just a microcosm of what it must be like going into today’s game.
Although we arrived two and a half hours before game time the lineup to get in was down the block, so we ventured on down Robson, but everywhere was lined up or full. We finally decided to try Granville Street, but it was the same.
We went off the main streets to a Holiday Inn, and crammed into a make shift dinning room lounge area where we settled down to watch the game. Two TV sets in an area that seats 100 – 150 people and volume turned up to the max but we still couldn’t hear.
Hey we didn’t care because the atmosphere was game like. When Canada came out onto the ice to start the game they were greeted with a roar. For the first ten minutes of the game it was eerily quite, as if everyone in the place was holding their breath.
When Canada scored their first goal, everyone errupted, rose to their feet and it would have been totally weird looking down from above the earth to see Canada the country in unison cheering. Canada’s second goal brought a roar that was reminiscent of what was om your TV screen. This brought out a chant of Go Canada Go.
The end to end action was a sight to behold with US seemingly carrying the play. The quietness that came over the room when the US scored except for the lone US fan in attendance, was deafening. Now 2-1 for Canada and the US came on in waves. Canada’s breakaway opportunity that was foiled by Ryan Miller brought out a collective groan as Canada hangs on to the lead at the end of the second.
The third period picks up with the intensity that ended the second. Seven minutes into the third and both sides are leaving it all on the ice. Ten Minutes in another let’s go Canada broke out.
As Dany Heatley just fails to score. Close call at the can end at the 5 min mark as Bobby Lou makes the stop and covers up . Quietness comes over the crowd again .
Another breakaway. Let’s Go Canada breaks out with two minutes to go. Relentless pressure by the US as they push for the tying goal. 1:17 to go as US calls a time out. Everyone can feel it as ole ole breaks out. Another time out. Will this never end?
Scramble in front as Zach Praise scores with 24 seconds left and Canadians across the country grab their hearts. The lone US fan is ecstatic and booed lustily. Now to OT.
US outplayed Canada through most of the third period. Now we get to see who wants it more.
There is such tension in the room I can hardly breathe. Crosby comes out of the corner with the puck, he shoots he scores! As the fans in the room go crazy. And now the real celebration begins.
It’s raining Gold, hallelujah!
2010 final day Olympic pictures 060
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/354091-its-raining-gold-hallelujah
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Filed under: 2010 Winter Olympics
