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I think we can all agree that what we witnessed yesterday in the gold medal Canada-USA game was nothing short of amazing. Having to award the gold after that was an absolute shame as I’m convinced if you played that game 10 times each team would win 5 of them. Not only was the game itself epic, but how impressive were the paths taken by both teams in getting to that point? An unbeaten USA team riding on the back of phenomenal goaltending by Ryan Miller and the gritty play of US defense and forwards. A Canadian team that struggled to find it’s groove and ended up on the brink of elimination, only to gel together as a team when faced with defeat to win four straight for the gold. This was what hockey is all about! The tournament played out very differently than predicted at the outset, and we should be happy it did!


As with any game of this scale, a lot of the enjoyment from yesterday for me came from watching the game through the experiences of others. Hearing their anticipation in advance of the game. Watching how they ebbed and flowed emotionally with the game as it played out. Sharing in the tension of a sudden death scenario and feeling the highs and lows of one team’s victory and another’s defeat. Through their words getting a look into their experiences of this monumental event for the sport we love as the world watched and hopefully finally understood why we are so passionate for the game.


My intent was by the end of the game to have a running record of some great snippets from Twitter that would give me a different way to remember this game as I look back on it. Some of them I chose for the laughs. Others for the trash talk. Some for the emotion, others for the tension. Some for the play by play, others for the commentary. I hope I captured that variety and hope also that you will enjoy seeing the day played out through the eyes of these folks! I have left Twitter usernames ahead of the posts in case you’d like to follow any of these people.


Three Hours Before Puck Drop


Priest ended mass with a 'Go, Canada, Go' today and the choir was decked out in Team Canada jerseys.


@kuklaskorner: Roenick on with Lester Holt of NBC Today Show. Holt says Brodeur starting, J.R questions that (Holt looks at notes). Oops.


@Sean_Leahy: How am I supposed to wait three more hours after watching the Herb Brooks speech 7 times already?


@THEaaronmiller Thanks to a nice box of wine and the music of Coldplay I seduced Ryan Miller last night. The things I do for my country.


@Carkeez: That Crosby-Staal-Iginla line is a hell of a checking line


@FitnessMagazine: it's 9:00 am but there are long lines at all the bars in Vancouver. Everyone wants to get a good seat for the faceoff!!!


@iamGSinghB: As Donald Sutherland said this morning: "Let the best team win. And if the other team is best, let them lose."


@AndBrent: Molson/Coors Canadian no doubt getting major ROI from its #Olympics sponsorship. Especially if Canada loses today.


@PikeJC: Border Battle, bitches!!!!


@brooklynrob: Here's my prediction for today's #hockey final #USA 18, #Canada -2. Yes, that's right -- I think Canada will score negative points.


@kriscollins: May the most gallant squad of toothless drunks take home the Gold.


@_drewski: cautiously optimistic. Hoping some Toronto Maple Leaf magic rubbed off on Burke/Wilson/Kessel & shines through.


@macewen: If you are just crawling out if bed the lineups downtown are already 80 fans deep.



TWO HOURS TO PUCK DROP


@thelastminute: Pandemonium downtown already. Road hockey games in the streets. Massive lines at every bar. We're set:


@elissapr: Dear World; Canada will be closed bw 2-6 pm for the most important #hockey game ever. Thank you.


@dtet: If I owned a bar I'd be having specials for #miller beers.


@DarkBlueJacket: just wants to see a good game today, one where both teams can honestly say they left it out on the ice.


@KING5Seattle: Is it karma? 50 years ago today USA won first hockey Olympic gold!


@andreabellemare: There were over 200 people lined up outside Gretzky's bar in Toronto for the game today, and that was at 11am.


@andrewdilts: Gates are open! Spectators coming in to Canada Hockey Place now for the gold medal game.


@campattendant: Heading down to the local drinking hole, will be screaming or crying in my beer by the time this day is done.


@thestevenetwork: A Cdn probably shouldn't say this, but I'd take a Stanley Cup for my team over Olympic gold today.


@Candice_Jo: Panicked text: "DUDE You HAVE to find out if the game is going to be on the radio! I won't be home in time to watch it! HELP!!"


@RaqsAsana: It smells like bacon and victory in here.


@DebWeinstein Hey you up there with your gravy fries and loonies, settle down and *watch how it's done!!*


@RosieBarton: Dear USA, we love you as neighbours. Now please prepare to have your asses kicked. Regards, Canada.


@krzimmer: Did I just hear correctly? They are bringing Don Cherry on for the USA-CAN #hockey broadcast? Could #Olympic hockey get any better!


@willbardwell: Team #USA fans: when the #Olympics end, please support the #NHL, America's largest non-profit #hockey organization.



ONE HOUR TO PUCK DROP


@Russel_L: Is it wrong that I think it's adorable that the U.S. thinks they'll win?


@pinestock: As an American, you gotta root for Team USA. As a gambler, you gotta take Canada to box the US like 6-2


@imsalmasekela: Hey Canada, I like you guys a lot but today that maple leaf is getting rolled up and smoked.


@gvoakes: If Canada doesn't win in hockey today, I'm going to let @important punch me in the face


@swirlywand: I'm so bored, I may have to watch this hockey game everyone is tweeting about.


@Cookin_w_Mickey: Good luck to Team #USA on winning the gold today against Team #Canada in #hockey! Would love to see Suter win it 30 years after his father!


@officialreview: Canada - you may not get the gold today, but at least you get the distinction of "America's Hat"


@jaydorn: Dear World, please note that Canada will be closed for business for the remainder of the day due to a religious holiday.


@TheFinnishLine: Dear world: You know, hockey is this fun all year round. You could watch it all the time!


@7thCanuck: Team Canada's men in suits. Team USA's boys in jeans. Puck drops in 30 mins!


@CanuckJacq Just had poutine. Drinking beer. Waiting for #hockey.


@woobiesmum: Hi Brian Burke. Enjoy this while you can because your regular team will never get this far..


@tsnjamesduthie I guess it would've been rude to wish Brian Burke "all the very *second* best", eh?


@GridlineUSA: Finally, an NHL all-star game that matters.


@alleitch: Its just before 7am Monday morning in Sydney, Australia...TV on, beer is cold...GO CANADA for the hockey GOLD!!!!!!!!!!!


@DonNelsonRiley: and make no mistake, this boils down to Miller vs. Luongo. If either chokes early, it will be hard to recover


GAME TIME!!!!


FIRST PERIOD


@busblog: nice to hear "Welcome to the Jungle" is the universal anthem that something is fixin to go down.


@erinmharris: My NBC station just cut out for a moment. #NBC, if you fail me now, I will freakin' lose it, I am not kidding


@Ron_Wechsler: My 6 year old is screaming "Make the Money Slot!" "Make the Money Slot"! I dont know what that means, but I'm rolling with it.


@docnolz: Does the US goalie have uncle Sam carrying one of those Joint looking Olympic torches on his helmet?


@cbcolympics: Jeez, Canada, start putting this one away so I can go back to hating Dany Heatley.


@caligirl88: Ugh, Canada just scored...


@simonbrundish: How does the Canadian accent turn Toews into Tayz?


@SB2342: If USA loses this game most people will just get on with their lives. If Canada loses then people will be pissed for 4 years.


@brittneydanne: I've watched nearly an entire period of #hockey, and still no Flying V. Movies wouldn't lie to me, would they?!


@stealth2377: Should Canada win this game, tomorrow will be the most unproductive day in Canadian history.


@joypecknold: Was outside waiting to catch a cab when Canada scored first goal. Nothing like the sound wave of a whole city cheering.



SECOND PERIOD


@MlleNB: Who's up for making tomorrow an official holiday if Canada wins #Gold?!


@JasonWagar: I may or may not be hollering incredibly loudly at my TV. I'd say sorry, neighbours, but I can hear them doing the same.


@kirklapointe: What any team would do to have Doughty for an eon. Perry makes it 2-0. Canada gets it's composure, Millar human after all.


@obriano: We have some work to do. Why didn't the Canadians get drunk before the game? I thought that was the agreement...?


@computer_girrrl: It's great to watch a Canada game where you can see just from the energy how badly both teams want gold. GO GO GO make it number 3!


@cglynne: Team Canada gave that to USA by not dealing with the USA passing game.


@_ryanhudson: That was a tougher save than it looked, Kessel tipped it on the way in. You're still the man LUUU....tight game now no sitting back.


@kirklapointe: Is Canada participating in a moratorium on physical play? When did that treaty take effect?


@wscaer: there's going to be a fight. it's only a matter of time.


@BoomersMum: Intermission. I can breathe for a few minutes.


@Carkeez: I'd be worried for those people parking their cars on Granville St today.


@JannArden Canada will win. I am not worried about it at all. I'll bet my best bra on it.



THIRD PERIOD


@SonicBooomm: HAHA canadians in afghanistan. "brothers in arms, not on ice" TOUCHE.


@ko0ty: WHO BELIEVES!!?? GO CANADA GO! Im so embarrassed my friend is standing on chair with hat screamin QUATCHI 2 a huge crowd at casino.


@jonluc: Its a you pick em for the 3rd period...my only worry is having to watch what the NHL passes of as hockey next week!


@MR_Malice14: Okay guys.. so you've managed to hit both posts in 2 minutes. Now aim for in BETWEEN the posts #canusa


@am640Brady: I am so pleased "Taves" is a trending topic in Canada. If Twitter existed in '87, LeMew and Gretskey would have been doing the same.


@mrpremji: Miller should win the Vezina this year!


@wscaer keep it together, boys. keep it together


@JimCraigUSA: I just noticed I am at 1,899 followers, wouldn't it be cool if it hit 1980 today????


@Kent_Basky: I think I just pooped a puck :/


@dantencer: Crosby's breakaway foiled by a great backcheck...this could be an agonizing finish...2:30 to go...


@JeffMarek: As of right now Corey Perry has scored an Olympic winning goal. memorial Cup, Stanley Cup and if CAN wins he's quietly had an amazing career


@tpanotch: Miller is still MVP of this tourney


@sportsguy33: Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


@ThatKevinSmith: USA! USA! OT!


@hockeyleaks: As a Canadian I'm not happy, as a hockey fan you couldn't ask for a better ending


@BretHedican: the people watching this game where never a hockey fan prior to this game, I guess we could say that your now sold? Parise Goal Tied up 2-2


@FriedmanHNIC: Please not shootout. No matter who wins, should not be decided by shootout


@DamoSpin: 32-31 Canada shots


@wyshynski: If there is an American or Canadian sports fan not watching this game right now, FOR SHAME!


@sportsguy33: So it sounds like 20 minutes of 4-on-4, followed by a shootout. Good God. Sending paramedics to my Dad's house to be safe.


@JonJordan: How good is this for the game of hockey? How many hockey fans were just created right then?



OVERTIME


@Prairies: OMG-It is sudden death...


@DamoSpin: Canada needs a new Paul Henderson


@ksultan I think I need to change my underroos!


@DamoSpin: Crosby - the new Henderson!!


@BretHedican: Ryan Miller will win the MVP of the tournament! He did everything he could do to give USA a chance at gold! Congrats to all US/CAN players!


@tenoarman: Thx Sidney! You're back to being Cindy tomorrow, though.


@DamoSpin: Canadians will tell their grandchildren about this game. It's true.


@JeffMarek: Cigars + champagne at centre ice, boys?


@sportsguy33: That game broke 2 hockey laws: 1) scrappy team with hot goalie always wins in OT, and 2) the best player never scores the OT winner.


@kausatoday: Canadians cheered Team USA during medal ceremony, and had special applause for Miller and Kesler. Very classy, Canada.



One hell of a game and one hell of a tournament. It was a game for the ages and will be a measuring point for some time. Congrats to the USA and Canadian teams for both of their gold medal performances!!!


Shawn Gates
[email protected]
Twitter: ShawnHockeybuzz
Facebook: Shawn Gates

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Visit us at www.hockeyden.net for the UD Series One box break! Watch and win a prize pack from the break!

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January 27, 2010: National Anthems

February 3, 2010: Dion Phaneuf

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#2: The Zamboni

#3: Maurice “The Rocket” Richard

#4: Ron Hextall

#5: Stanley Cup Abuse, Neglect and Versatility

#6: The Puck

#7: Don Cherry

#8: Cam Neely

#9: The Early Years of Les Canadiens

#10: Hockey Superstitions!

#11: Olympic Hockey Pt1



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#2 What If Quebec Traded Lindros To The Rangers Instead Of The Flyers?

#3 What If Calgary Drafted Martin Brodeur Instead Of Trevor Kidd?

#3a What If Calgary Drafted Martin Brodeur Instead Of Trevor Kidd?: A RESPONSE

#4 What If The WHA Never Existed?

#5 What If The Position Of Rover Had Not Been Eliminated?

#6 What If Pittsburgh Had Not Been Awarded A Team In 1967?

#7 What If Steve Smith Had Not Scored In His Own Net In Game 7?

#8 What If The NHL Had a Cross-Conference Playoff Structure?

#9 What If The NHL Asked For Fan Ideas For Improving The Game??

#10 What If Henderson Had Missed The Net In Game 8?

#11 What If You Could Sneak Into A Stanley Cup Celebration?

#12 What If The NHL Returned To Quebec City?

#13 What if Toronto and Edmonton Had Traded Teams in 1981?

#14 What if You Could Create Your Own Hockey Dream Team?

#15 What if An Active Player in the NHL “Came Out” as Gay?

#16 You Could Assemble Your Own Fantasy Pick-up Hockey Team?

#17 Hockey Had A Champions League Tournament?



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