Thursday, February 25, 2010
Fairly light agenda today although Canada v. USA for women’s hockey gold can hardly be called light! We arrived downtown about an hour before puck drop and met up with Kelsie Fraser, who was coming with us so that Catherine could do some work! Passed through the usual security checks although the express check turned out to be much slower than the regular check.
The game was excellent and very intense. The US were determined not to go down without a fight. The Canadian goalie, Shannon Szabados, was outstanding and recorded the shutout in Canada’s 2-0 triumph with both Canadian goals coming from the stick of Marie-Philip Poulin. During one of the intermissions, we met up with Kevin Reinhart and his family for the obligatory photo, complete with Canadian flag. Kevin combed his hair for the occasion!
As the clock ran down, the Canadian players swarmed on to the ice and the celebrations began. The medals were awarded there and then with Finland taking the bronze. While gracious in defeat, the US players were keen to leave the ice but had to stay for their medal presentation. I thought the Canadian crowd was particularly classy as they chanted U-S-A during the silver medal presentation. Finally, it was time to award the gold medals and the crowd went crazy. As the ceremony was winding down, I was surprised to see an announcement on the big screen that Team Canada Champion hats and shirts were available for sale on the concourse … and the teams hadn’t even left the ice yet. Marketing at its best, I guess!
Following the game, we left Canada Hockey Place and met up with Catherine at the Victory Ceremonies in BC Place. We watched the Canadian women’s short track relay team get their silver medals and then saw the Canadian women get their bobsleigh gold and silver medals live from Whistler. The medal presentations were followed by the Burton Cummings concert – Devon and Logan were bored but saved by the games on their iPods, while Catherine and I enjoyed the show. As the Victory Ceremonies were winding down, we found out that Joannie Rochette, who we had watched in the ladies’ figure skating short program a couple days before, won a bronze medal.
Overall, another great day in Vancouver. Did I mention that it was overcast and rainy all day?
Fairly light agenda today although Canada v. USA for women’s hockey gold can hardly be called light! We arrived downtown about an hour before puck drop and met up with Kelsie Fraser, who was coming with us so that Catherine could do some work! Passed through the usual security checks although the express check turned out to be much slower than the regular check.
The game was excellent and very intense. The US were determined not to go down without a fight. The Canadian goalie, Shannon Szabados, was outstanding and recorded the shutout in Canada’s 2-0 triumph with both Canadian goals coming from the stick of Marie-Philip Poulin. During one of the intermissions, we met up with Kevin Reinhart and his family for the obligatory photo, complete with Canadian flag. Kevin combed his hair for the occasion!
As the clock ran down, the Canadian players swarmed on to the ice and the celebrations began. The medals were awarded there and then with Finland taking the bronze. While gracious in defeat, the US players were keen to leave the ice but had to stay for their medal presentation. I thought the Canadian crowd was particularly classy as they chanted U-S-A during the silver medal presentation. Finally, it was time to award the gold medals and the crowd went crazy. As the ceremony was winding down, I was surprised to see an announcement on the big screen that Team Canada Champion hats and shirts were available for sale on the concourse … and the teams hadn’t even left the ice yet. Marketing at its best, I guess!
Following the game, we left Canada Hockey Place and met up with Catherine at the Victory Ceremonies in BC Place. We watched the Canadian women’s short track relay team get their silver medals and then saw the Canadian women get their bobsleigh gold and silver medals live from Whistler. The medal presentations were followed by the Burton Cummings concert – Devon and Logan were bored but saved by the games on their iPods, while Catherine and I enjoyed the show. As the Victory Ceremonies were winding down, we found out that Joannie Rochette, who we had watched in the ladies’ figure skating short program a couple days before, won a bronze medal.
Overall, another great day in Vancouver. Did I mention that it was overcast and rainy all day?