Sukhjeevan Sharma,
Beer — which began flowing when the puck dropped thanks to relaxed liquor rules — was tossed into the air from red hockey-boot mugs, while revellers mounted chairs and tables in unbridled joy as red-and-white streamers fluttered down on them.Superfan Mike Berks knew what to wear for the big game — a hockey helmet mounted with a working red goal light — and thought nothing of getting up well before sunrise for the gold-medal contest.
“This is our team, this is what we live, this is what we breathe, this is what we do —4:30 in the morning is nothing to watch this,” he said as fans decked out in red-and-white jerseys hooted and hollered around the bar.“There’s no doubt that Canada’s the No. 1 hockey team in the world. This is it, Canada’s No. 1.”
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford was among the capacity crowd, where he briefly pulled many eyes away from the jumbo screen as he posed for photos with fans.“This is what Canada’s all about — it’s hockey right? When people say how do you define Canada, I say, wait until there’s a hockey game,” Ford said.Crowds then spilled into the streets, with a throng of fans paralyzing a major downtown intersection.Meanwhile, in Vancouver snowy weather, no booze and an early 4 a.m. game time didn’t stop the outpouring of jubilation at a downtown sports bar.
David Addison stayed up all night to make sure he’d get a spot at the Sin Bin Sports Grill and said the fact the taps were dry due to provincial liquor laws didn’t take away from a fantastic win.“The energy in there is electric,” said Addison pointing the crowd in the bar. “We’re just going to high-five and hug a bunch of strangers and feel really, really awesome.”Montreal fans packed into a stretch of downtown pubs to watch the gold medal matchup.One group of women decided to wear their pyjamas to the game.“When I’m on vacation, I don’t usually get up at 6:30, so I decided to come like this,” said Montrealer Nathalie Theoret.
For many the celebratory eruptions started as the clock ticked away the final seconds of the game, Canada’s decisive 3-0 lead no longer in any doubt.The hockey faithful jumped out of their seats and waved flags over balconies at a two-storey sports bar in downtown Halifax just before the final buzzer.Some cried as they watched the players receive their gold medals, and the fans in Sidney Crosby’s hometown let out an ear-splitting cheer when it was his turn to accept gold.
Bonnie Forrestall said Crosby’s breakaway goal during the second period that cemented Canada’s lead was the highlight of the game.
