ONE FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS

Sidney Crosby scores game-winner(Getty Images)

ONE FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS....

The Men's Hockey Gold Medal Game between Team USA and CANADA was one that was filled with intense anticipation by fans of both teams. With a 3:15 start, the bar started filling up with nervous patrons as early as 2pm. As expected, we had a nice contingent of Canadian fans, ready to support their team...


as well as a pretty strong following for Team USA....


Of course there were some good natured ribbing between the fans of the two countries...

But it all went by the wayside once the game began.

I was torn again on who to cheer for. Most folks who know me knows how much of a fan of hockey I am. I am a supporter of a Canadian team (Montreal Canadiens). While I was very happy to see Team USA win their first encounter against Team Canada last week, I had a hard time believing that they would be able to defeat Team Canada twice in a row; especially after winning the first time. To try and beat the Canadians on their home ice twice, with the Gold Medal on the line and the pressure of two supporting nations and a worldwide audience on them... that was a lot to ask for. I just couldn't see it happening. But then again, that's why they play the game.

And sure enough, after a pretty even first period, Team Canada finally broke the deadlock and jumped out to a 1-0 lead. After scoring another goal in the second period and holding a 2-0 lead, the USA supporters were feeling pensive while the Canada supporters were cautiously optimistic.



However, when Team USA scored it's first goal, the place went nuts. And when I played "Born in the USA" by Bruce Springsteen, the USA supporters really went crazy, just adding to the suspense of the game.





Finally, the 3rd period came and the pressure that came with watching that... it's hard to describe. It seemed that everyone hung on every shot taken, every hit made, every questionable call by the refs; you could cut the tension with a knife. When we got down to the final two minutes and Team USA pulled their goalie, you thought that the place was going to explode in anticipation: Will Team Canada hold off a hard-charging Team USA?

And then it happened.

Zach Parise's goal with less than 30 seconds in the game sent the place into a tizzy. Even the casual hockey fan got swept up in the euphoria of the moment as Team USA clawed their way back from a 2-0 deficit to send the game into overtime...





It was unbelievable. I have to admit, I even found myself getting caught up in the moment. But then came overtime. Both teams were locked in and focused on the task at hand, and the fans in the bar were just as locked in. And at about 7:40 into overtime, "The Shot" happened...

The thrill of victory.....

And the agony of defeat. With that, what turned out to be a thrilling game was over and Team Canada won the gold medal for its exuberant fans, while Team USA were resigned to the fact that the came up just short on a remarkable run.





So while it was a heart-breaking loss for the Americans, you have to tip your hat to Team USA. They weren't expected to medal at all in these Olympics and to not only go undefeated but to go into overtime in the Gold Medal game, says wonders. This was a young team and they will be a force to reckon with in the next Winter Olympics (Sochi 2014). They have nothing to be ashamed of.

As for Team Canada, they had the pressure of being anointed the best team in the tournament; expectations were for gold and nothing less, and to have to do this on home ice, talk about a tall order. And when they lost to Team USA in the first round, there were serious concerns of them not being able to complete the task. But they dug in deep and found a way to make it happen and to raise the spirits of a country on which hockey is everything to them.

As for the day itself, I have to say, I hadn't had this much fun watching a sporting event since Italy/France in the last World Cup final. To see fans of two countries cheer hard and proudly for their teams and to do it in a way that was not only fun, but in a respectful way... it was a sight to see. Good times.


TONIGHT: BEER BINGO/MUG NIGHT MADNESS (4pm-close) featuring $1 Bud/Bud Light/Coors Light mugs OR $2 mugs, all other domestic drafts!


That's It. That's All I Got.