Defining Moment Day 17
March 1, 2010Oh my Gold..
Sid the kid – you are the new Paul Henderson.
No, it wasn’t quite like the seminal Summit Series goal of 1972 and it may not have been heard around the world but it certainly has been heard around Canada.
And it’s still being heard here in Vancouver or should we call it Horn-couver…
Car horns, air horns, all kinds of horns hooting and blowing ever since Sidney Crosby found the net in overtime to put an end to a thrilling gold medal game against the United States. Ironically, Crosby became the hero after a very mediocre tournament. In fact, many people were starting to wonder if Crosby was actually hurt since he was not playing like the #87 we’ve grown accustomed to.
But great players do great things at the right time. And like all the legends of the game, there was Crosby right there at the right time.
A pass from Jarome Iginla – a quick shot that beat the unbeatable Ryan Miller – and then Crosby, looking almost shocked ,throwing his gloves and stick in the air soon to be swallowed by his swarming teammates.
From there – pandemonium prevailed. Canada Hockey Place became Canada Hockey Heaven. The medals were presented. Crosby’s name was chanted over and over along with the Loos for Roberto Luongo who had a chance to enjoy the biggest moment of his life in his home rink. The range of emotion for Luongo had to be mind boggling considering he had allowed the Americans to tie the game up in the final seconds and send it to overtime.
This was my one and only day off at the Games and I was lucky to be there with my family. Normally, I’m an unbiased observer who watches the game with an objective eye but today I went as a hockey fan and I loved every minute of it.
There we sat near the rafters with one of the best views of what as to unfold. And as the game ebbed and flowed, you had a real sense that Team Canada was playing too cautious, too defensive in the third period, almost as if they were trying not to lose as opposed to trying to win.
The building rocked from beginning to end – but in the intermission before overtime, there was a strange feeling among a lot of nervous Canadian hockey fans in the house, knowing that Team USA could be on the verge of writing the script for the new “Miracle on Ice”.
But not this time. 1972′s Henderson scores for Canada was 2010′s Crosby scores for Canadian Gold.
And there was Sid the Kid looking like a little boy – a little golden boy – hoisting a mammoth Canadian flag and taking it for a victory lap.
Game over.
Games over.
And could these Winter Games have ended on any better note?
After underacheiving in the first week of the Olympics, the Canadian athletes more than exceeded expectations in the second half of the Games.
More medals than ever before. More gold than ever before.
More red and more white than you could ever imagine.
And so many highlights to add to that commemorative DVD boxed set that was being advertised ad nauseum.
More than anything – there were so many moments.
Moments that oozed magic.
Memories that will last a lifetime.
I’ve had a chance to broadcast and report at a number of Olympic Games but Vancouver 2010 was so far off the charts – it was unmeasurable.
Were these the “best ever” Games in Olympic history?
I’m not sure I can answer that but I do know they were Canada’s “best ever” Olympics.
Because – these were your Games.
These were OUR Games.
A chance to show the world that Vancouver is a world class city and Canada is a world class destination.
But mostly – these were our athletes Games.
Thank you Team Canada for showing your spirit, your pride, your class, and in the end – your medals.
Almost time to head home – one more night. One more blog.
I’d like to sleep but the horns are still blaring in Fun-couver.
