Olympics Day 17

GOLD.

That’s the word I wrote last night and the word I am writing today. GOLD.

Sidney Crosby scores the game winning goal against the USA in overtime to win the GOLD Medal!
Photograph by: Todd Korol, Reuters

Yesterday 4 out of every 5 Canadians were watching the Gold Medal Hockey Game between Canada and the USA. I was one of those 4; and one of thousands watching at the Molson Canadian Hockey House. If you couldn’t afford Gold Medal Hockey tickets, (and who could?), then the second best place to be watching the game was at the MCHH. The crowd was insane and everyone was wearing RED. The game was... intense! When we went into the 3rd period, I kept repeating to myself… 20 minutes left and we’re up by one… 19 minutes left and we’re up by one… 18 minutes left and we’re up by one… 10 minutes left and we’re up by one… 9 minutes left and we’re up by one… 2 minutes left and we’re up by one… 1 minute left and we’re up by one… 30 seconds left and we’re up by one… Oh Shit!

Chad and I right before the game started at the MCHH

Like the rest of Canada, with only 24.4 seconds left until Gold, I wanted to throw up. At 2 minutes left, they MCHH souvenir store had put out GOLD Medal t-shirts, (behind a locked gate) to be sold as soon as we won. At 23 seconds left, the T-shirts were suddenly turned around, so no one could read them. As the OT period started, I could barely watch… I tried to stay positive as I was rubbing my lucky loonie, but I just didn’t want to see a goal against us. I’m lucky I looked up when I did, because I got to see Sid the Kid win the hearts of an entire country!

So stressed watching the game

So Happy after the game!

It was so much more than just a game. It was something our country needed and wanted so badly. It united us and made us beam with pride. Cheesy? Yes. But True.

After the game the MCHH also showed the Closing Ceremonies on its big screens. About 10 minutes in, the audio on the TVs was turned down as there was a special guest on stage that needed no introduction. That’s right… The #1 Goaltender for the GOLD Medal Team Canada and the Pride and Captain of the Vancouver Canucks, Roberto Luongo. Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!!!

He was only there for a few minutes; was asked a few questions. Couldn’t really hear because everyone was so loud cheering and Luuuuuing. His daughter was wearing his GOLD Medal and seemed to be a little overwhelmed by all the attention.

Luongo, his daughter and his GOLD Medal on Stage at the MCHH

As for the Closing Ceremonies; this is what I wrote on my Facebook status today: For those of you that didn't like the Closing Ceremonies: it's called Satire! It was crazy and weird, but I loved it! And that’s exactly what it was; tongue in cheek comedy. Some people said that it was embarrassing and only enforced Canadian Stereotypes, but I didn’t see it that way. I thought we were having fun with those stereotypes. I could have done without the Nickelback, and would have loved to see Shania up on stage though.

The night before, my friend Grace was in town from New York, so we went out for some drinks. We started off at The Keefer, (brand new, very cool, check it out), headed over to Canvas Lounge for the Jet Set Party, and then to the Commodore for the Club Bud Party. The Club Bud Party was quite exclusive and was where most of the Athletes were. I really don’t know how I got in. In fact, some of my friends didn’t get in and I spent the first ½ hour trying to make friends with anyone with connections. As I was talking to one of the bouncers he said, “look at that line right there; that‘s the Athletes line. If the Athletes can’t even get in right now, what makes you think your friends will be able?” Whatever.

Murray, Robin and Evanka at the Keefer

In the end, Grace and Evanka made it in. We were told that all of the Canadian Athletes, (minus the Men’s Hockey team) were there; they may have been, but I didn’t see them. We did sit on a couch across from Oksana Baiul and I did see Charles Hamelin as I was leaving, (didn’t get my camera out fast enough). As I was getting my coat, I chatted with a guy from Montreal that said he had won the Gold Medal in a speed skating event, but I can’t match his face to anyone on the Vancouver 2010 website. Please let me know if you recognize him.

GOLD Medalist? Maybe!

Club Bud Girls

Grace and skier Jeremy Bloom at Club Bud

We stayed out until about 2am which is way past my bedtime, and when I got up on Sunday morning, I was so glad that I didn’t drink very much. I did not want to scream for Hockey with a hangover.

Waking up this morning was a little weird. The Olympics were over. The parties were over. Seven years of planning and anticipation was over.

I was a little sad, but mostly proud; We Won The Olympics!

So Very Proud.

The final medal count:

14 GOLD – 7 SILVER - 5 BRONZE

GO CANADA GO!!!

My Nephews cheering on Team Canada!!!