(photo courtesy Canadian Press)The Vancouver Olympics came to an end with Sidney Crosby saving the show. I have been very critical of Crosby in these Olympics. His minus 3 last week against the Americans didn't cut it. I didn't think he was the superstar player that he had to be in this tournament. He didn't have a shot after 60 minutes in yesterday's gold medal game. He botched a breakaway late in the 3rd that could have won it. The criticism was growing shift by shift. However, Sid's last shift is all he will be remembered for as he goes down in Canadian history with one of the biggest goals this country has ever seen.
I don't know what you were feeling as the seconds counted down yesterday, but I was so nervous I thought I was going to puke. When Zach Parise scored with less than a minute left, all I could do was yell at Roberto Luongo through my TV asking him why he can't catch a puck.
And then came Sid.
When he scored, I didn't know what to do. I honestly thought they had said on CTV that the overtime was a 20 minute overtime and not a sudden death period. Until the guys started pouring off the bench, I didn't think it was over. It was and with the goal ended a two week period that won't soon be forgotten. Our nationalistic pride has spilled over. We have proven to the world that we are proud to be Canadian. We have also proven that we are a world heavyweight when it comes to winter sports. A record 14 gold medals. No other country has done that. Not the big bad U-S, not Germany, not Russia, but Canada. When you look at top 5 and top 8 finishes you will see that we topped the ladder. "Believe?" How can you not believe after what we've just witnessed.
It brings to an end two weeks of compelling television. You want reality TV, you just saw it. You saw it each and every day. Its why sports is so great! It didn't start well with the unfortunate death at the luge track, but we were drawn to it every day. We might not watch a skeleton race or figure skating until the next Olympics, but we will remember the names of Jon Montgomery and Joannie Rochette. I can't see myself flicking the channels looking for moguls, but I won't forget sitting on the edge of my couch for two straight nights watching Jenn Heil and Alex Bilodeau. The phrase "Alex Bilodeau has done it" is something we won't forget if we were watching it because it was history in the making. The fact it was Jamie Campbell making that call made it that much more special because of what has happened to Jamie over the last few months.
Seeing our athletes stand at the top level of the podium 14 times with O'Canada playing was outstanding. Seeing the coverage we got from CTV, TSN and Sportsnet was outstanding. I would put their coverage up against NBC's any day and I would put the talent that we had over NBC's any day. Speaking of NBC, how about this from "their" Brian Williams.
http://dailynightly.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2010/02/26/2213393.aspx
Lets talk about our Saskatchewan athletes and what they did for this country in Vancouver. How about this for a rundown.
Gold medals-Lucas Makowsky(Regina), Ben Hebert (Regina), Ryan Getzlaf (Regina), Brendan Morrow (Carlyle), Patrick Marleau (Aneroid), Mike Babcock(Saskatoon), Hayley Wickenheiser (Shaunavon), Colleen Sostorics (Kennedy)
Silver medal- Cori Bartel(Humboldt)
Bronze medal-Lyndon Rush (Humboldt)
What were your thoughts on the closing ceremonies? I found them to be interesting. I loved William Shatner and Michael J. Fox. It was great to see Catriona Lemay Doan get the chance she didn't get in the opening ceremonies? Did we really need to hear Hedley? Why did Avril Lavigne get two songs and Nickleback get just one. When did Avril ditch the skater boy image...did you see those heels? If they were going to be a ceremonies in which we poked fun at ourselves as Canadians, why weren't Bob and Doug McKenzie there. Why wasn't a cup of Tim Hortons coffee in the hands of Jacques Rogge and were there any sightings of Wally Buono on the surface of BC Place. For that matter, how can you talk about Canada and not mention Rider Pride?! Oh yeah, I loved the giant beavers!
Regardless, Canadians have just been through something very special. Moments like what we experienced don't come around every day. I hope you relished them just as much as I did. In two words, I BELIEVE! Oh yeah two other words. Sorry Sid and thanks! I guess that's four words.
We should be so proud of our Saskatchewan athletes. Its just another reason why Saskatchewan is so great!
ReplyDeleteNever ever diss Sid!
ReplyDeleteWhen did Avril Lavigne get hot?
ReplyDeleteSo let me get this straight, everyone will now gush about Sid because he got the golden goal. He did nothing in the final up to that point except completely screw up a breakway in the 3rd when it was 2-1. He did nothing in the tournament except when playing the lightweights and if the puck doesn't bounce off the refs skate, the play that turned into the game-winner doesn't happen. Lets scrape away the glitter and discuss why Crosby wasn't an impact player!
ReplyDeleteShawn B
How could you not love the giant beavers!
ReplyDeleteShawn B, you're off base. Yes the breakaway could've gone better, but Kane did an excellent job to break it up, and Miller had the glove side covered. That whole line of Staal, Crosby and Iginla had some great chances that game (Staal in particular).
ReplyDeleteDid you notice that Crosby had possession of the puck before it went off the ref's skate? You know what would've happened if it didn't go off the Ref's skate? I would assume the exact same thing.
The Crosby hate is strong with you. You should celebrate that Canada won, not complain cause Crosby did it.
Little Johnny
Little Johnny and Shawn B:
ReplyDeleteI understand what both of you are saying. I didn't think Sid had that great of an Olympics, but he will be forever remembered for scoring the golden goal. Nobody cares what the previous performance was like when you do that. Imagine what people would have said had Thornton scored and he was a dog all tourney long.
When you are a player of Sid's calibre, every move is going to be scrutinized. It was that way with Wayne and Mario and it will be that way when Tavares makes his first international appearance in the pros. Hell, people are criticizing Eberle in Regina when he goes scoreless so if they can do it here, they can certainly criticize Sid.
LD
Our Saskies kicked ass. Congrats to all of those who won medals and congrats to all of those connected with the Sask Pavillion which was an Olympics highlight for many who didn't go to the actual events.
ReplyDeleteJeff A
LD, I know Sid will get scrutinized, when you're that talented it comes with the territory (deserved or otherwise). Hell I'm not the biggest Sid the Kid fan, and I know he could've played better. But the fact is he scored the Olympic Gold Medal winning goal. From trying to break in on a 1-on-2 to beating everyone to the puck in the corner to getting open and scoring the goal, he was doing everything he can to win it for his team. He was determined, and was not going to be denied, and for that he deserves the nations respect.
ReplyDeleteLittle Johnny