My Olympic Experience in Montreal

The USA vs. Canada Men's Gold Medal Hockey game was, looking back on it, the most highly anticipated sporting event for me since the Holy Cross vs. Villanova football game (I know, I am crazy) in the 1st round of the FCS playoffs. That game was back in late November. The Super Bowl, while the biggest sporting event in the United States annually, did not compare to the excitement and anticipation of this hockey game. The bragging rights on the line for the United States against our neighboring country were immense; to beat the Canadians at their game, in their own country would have put the finishing touches on another successful Olympic games for the Red, White, and Blue.

What made this game all the more thrilling and drama-filled was traveling up to Montreal on the day of the game to watch it amongst some of the most passionate and die hard hockey fans in the world. Myself, along with two of my buddies from Holy Cross, walked into a sea of red and white upon entering into Ziggy's Pub on Crescent Street in Montreal. Although we were severely outnumbered, many of the Canadian fans in the pub could not have been more welcoming (this changed for obvious reasons when we were the only people cheering after the US tied it as 2 late in the 3rd period) or congratulatory following the game. We were certainly a bit apprehensive of vehemently cheering at first, but after getting a few beers in us that quickly changed. After Zach Parise's goal in the final minute to knot the score at 2, how could we not cheer for our country?


I won't go too far into the game itself as this posting is more about the experience of being in Canada for the hockey game, but after Parise's heroics I was convinced the US was scoring in overtime to take home the Gold. They had been controlling much of the play for the latter half of the game by scoring two unanswered goals, and Ryan Miller was acting like a brick wall in front of the net, like he had all tournament.

It was Canada's night to shine, however, and it was only fitting that their best player, and arguably the best player in the world in Sidney Crosby, scored the game winner 7:40 into the extra session. Our three heads stared down into the table, while the rest of the pub jumped up in unison with hands high in the air. The same people who gave us the dirty looks just minutes earlier after Parise's goal were now smirking at us, and as they should. I can only imagine what would have happened if the US scored in the overtime session and won the Gold Medal. Three Americans celebrating amidst about 50 distraught Canadians may not have ended well for us.

After the game ended, we even had Ziggy himself approach our table and congratulate us on what a fine tournament the United States played. From the authentic Canadian beer and food to the fervent hockey fans living and dying with every touch of the puck, the 2010 Men's Gold Medal Hockey game is an experience I will relish and a memory that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Although Canada won much to our dismay, the rest of the night was certainly more fun and entertaining as a result.