I hunkered down in my chair at 3:35. Having just gotten off the bus coming from campus, I ran to my apartment to catch what I could of the United States-Switzerland game. Upon flipping on the television, I was relieved to see that there was more than half the game left. I was worried to see that as I had expected, Jonas Hiller was stoning us. Throughout the course of that game, however, I was never really worried. My fellow countrymen were outshooting and outplaying the Swiss, and eventually, the wall would come down. And come down it did, in true North American hockey fashion. A rough-and-tumble, blue collar goal by Parise. Then, I had heard something I didn't expect. It started off light... like a bus turning a corner in the distance.

"Maybe I'm not hearing correctly," I thought, quick to dismiss what I thought I heard. Then I heard it again. Growing louder. This sound certainly wasn't universal coming from the thousands of faces on my TV, but there it was, unmistakable. From a large contingent of Canada hockey fans.... boos. Our North American comrades were booing us against the Swiss. My fears were realized when the Swiss hit a post and the crowd erupted at the possiblity of a goal against the US.

Now, I have by no means ever played any ice hockey near Olympic level. I did, however, play in high school and college and played with several junior players from Quebec and Toronto. If there is one defining line in international hockey, it's this: there's North American hockey, and European hockey, and you are allies with those in your school. Even Les Quebecois (did I spell that right?), despite kind of being dicks, were always firmly in the "fuck the Europeans" camp. Now this.

I was rooting for Canada. I ENJOY rooting for Canada. I modeled my goaltending style off two premier Canadian netminders. But after hearing a large contingent of Canadian fans firmly in the camp AGAINST the U.S., I now hope there is a rematch in the gold medal game, and the U.S. stomps a mudhole in the Canadian national team.

Tomorrow, when I wake up, I will love my Canadian brethren again. But today, I shake my fist to the North in defiance. Damn you, Canucks! Damn yoooooou!

I feel cheated on.

SoldierHawk wrote:

^ I think that stopped around the time *we* started booing their anthem during NHL games, Kubo. (Granted, that's not nearly as widespread as it was a couple years ago, but it still pisses me off to no end just thinking about it.) Are you SURE it was boos though? I was convinced the entire crowd was booing *their own* team in the game last night, until it suddenly dawned on me that they were shouting, "LOOOOOOU!" for our goalie, Luongo .

Oh no. I'm positive . And while of course I'm rooting for my good ol' red, white, and blue... I can't stay mad at Canada. They're like that pretty girlfriend that spills your Diet Dr. Pepper. Sure, you're pissed for a second, but then she makes eyes at you and you go make out.

And don't worry... you can count what I said above as fun ribbing. I really do like Canada and her citizens.... except Les Quebecois. I never get tired of talking about what douchebags they are. If you ever see anybody from the Quebec Major Junior league, punch them in the balls and tell them Kubo sent you. Ironic that Brodeur was essentially the blueprint for how I modeled my playing when I was younger (and still).