Team Canada Grab The Glory!
March 08, 2010 // Posted by: admin // Category: General
An incredible finale to the 2010 Vancouver games saw Canada deliver the holy grail to the home of hockey: the Winter Olympics gold medal, and after the most thrilling of climaxes I would suggest that the fans deserve the medal nearly as much as the heroes out on the ice.
Team Canada came into the competition more in hope than expectation. Yes, they had the historical triumphs to inspire them and home advantage but many pundits had them down as fourth favourites behind Finland, Russia and eventual silver medallists USA.
Huge credit must go to coach Mike Babcock who picked his team up after an early round robin defeat to the States, and gave them the drive, tactics and more importantly the belief that would see them go all the way to the top of the rostrum.
The turning point for me came with the knockout game against Russia. Whilst Canada had limped their way through the qualifiers, Russia had been in imperious form and looked to be real gold medal contenders. Team Canada went onto the offensive from the start however and had already effectively beaten Russia by the end of the first period. The final score of 7-3 to Canada was a stunning indicator that Team Canada was finally in business!
There was feverish anticipation at the Canada Hockey Place as the capacity crowd witnessed the final that they had longed for: the clash of the titans, Team Canada v USA. Canada took the lead through a close range effort from Chicago Blackhawks’ Jonathan Toews before a fine stike by Ducks player Corey Perry doubled the lead.
The crowd were in fine voice, but the tension began to creep in when Ryan Kesler hit their first. In an astonishing end to the third period Zach Parise became the American hero when slotting home with only 24 regulation seconds left on the clock.
Overtime calls for strong nerves and as the stalemate continued it seemed that it would take something special, a true golden moment, to decide the winner. Step forward Sidney Crosby! Darling of Canada and in my opinion the greatest player in the NHL today, Crosby had earlier spurned a clear sight at goal but cometh the hour, the iceman cometh! USA net minder Ryan Miller had no time to react as Crosby sent a screaming wrist shot past him to give Canada the final victory that their domination had deserved!
The win puts Team Canada back at the top of the IIHF World Rankings where they rightfully belong! The partying will continue across the country for a long time to come, but the memories of Vancouver glory will last even longer!
I was actually looking at online offers (it seems that every company in Canada have some sort of ’keep the good vibes going deal’, thanks Air Canada!) but I have just found this competition where the prize is ski accommodation. All of you should really enter, this would be a marvelous way to spend a bit of the winter!