We lost – but won on Sunday
HodgePodge by Charlie Hodge
Canada may have not captured the gold medal in men’s hockey, however we joined other winners by gamely taking part in a spectacular match – played on a world stage with literally the world watching. And what a show it was.
Like millions of winter sport fans around the globe, Canadians spent the better part of a week glued to their television sets, radios and cell phones watching or listening to a potpourri of competitions in a plethora of sports. The worlds best met head-to-head, strutted their stuff and shed tears and sweat to reach for gold, silver or bronze medals. Each country sent its best athletes and faithfully cheered them on throughout the epic winter Olympics.
It truly was a classic example of world class competitions and sportsmanship, fully embracing the professional, civil conduct emblematic of what Olympic sportsmanship is supposed to be about. Even the hockey players played nicely (most of the time).
I found myself fascinated by so many different competitions from various downhill skiing styles, curling, speed skating, luge, to figure skating and of course hockey. It was non-stop top-notch entertainment.
For me it was a reminder of the skill factor needed and attainable by dedication to training, perseverance, patience, and intestinal fortitude. It takes a lot of guts to hurl yourself full speed down a hill and leap off a jump performing multiple twists and turns before (hopefully) landing hundreds of feet down the mountain.
In total, Canada finished with 21 medals, for an eleventh overall finish.
Of course, most of us would have liked Canada to have marched home with 23 gold medals with both our women’ and men’s teams grabbing the top software. Ironically both teams lost out to our American rivals. Interestingly both teams also lost their captains and leaders with Marie-Philipe Poulin and Sydney Crosby both injured. Poulin made it back on the ice for their final match, but Sydney did not.
Like millions of other Canucks I got up at the insane time of 4:45 a.m. in order to slide in front of the tv for the Men’s gold medal. I lost a lot of sleep before the game and after, and a bunch of weight during it through nerves.
I believe it was the best or certainly one of the best hockey games I remember seeing.
Like it or not the USA were the ‘better’ team Sunday. We might be the ‘best’ at the game but they were better on the day that it mattered. They walked our talk.
There should be no shame felt by the Canadian players in the loss. Player for player they were exceptional. Certainly, a few passes went astray and some weak or dumb plays cost us penalties or missed opportunities, however overall, it was a wonderful display of superlative shinny.
Some players raised their star status in my mind including goaltender Jordan Binnington who I have always considered a bit flakey and unpredictable. He carried Canada on his back a few times in the tournament. Rookie Macklin Celebrini was outstanding and without a question a superstar in the making.
Full marks go to the USA and the brilliant play of the Hughes brothers and Auston Matthews. Matthews finished tied for second among American scorers with seven points, right behind Quinn and Jack Hughes both with eight.
The Unites States had a not so secret weapon on their side in goalie Connor Hellebuyck who won the game on his own. He stood on his head and made some truly unbelievable saves.
The next Olympic Winter Games will also be in Europe, In the French Alps in 2030. I’m confident fans will get to see the likes of Celibrini, Cale Makar, and Mathews, I’m hoping we will also see Sydney Crosby – for his sake as well as ours.
The NHL returns to action this week and it will be interesting to see how certain players react. I will be watching with interest Auston Matthews, Connor McDavid Mitch Marner, Jordan Binnington, Sebastian Aho, Kaapo Kakko, and Elias Pettersson.
