By Rob Ficiur

 As Canadians go through Olympic withdrawal, I look back at the Vancouver games and see one of the rare times in my memory when polite Canadians have finally spoken out and shared the deep patriotism we have for this country.  Our love for Canada is based on more than a few sporting medals in a two week period.  However, for once the entire country, enjoyed a common event and avenue to share their patriotism.
Close But Not Enough -  On the last day of the games, Devon Kershaw came in fifth on the 50 km cross country ski.  He came in fifth, only 1.5 second behind the Gold Medal winner.  When he was interviewed by reporters, this athlete began to cry…He was so close to a medal.  Canadian hearts went out to him.  He doesn’t have a medal, but anyone that can run or walk or ski 50 km gets my admiration, and to come so close and still show grace is a sign of character.
Clara Hughes won her sixth Olympic medal.  She is the only Canadian ot win in both the summer and winter games.  Vancouver 2010 was her final Olympic games, and it was nice to see one of our all time greats leave the games on the medal podium.
Canada won 14 gold medals - more than any other country in the games.  In fact Canada set a record for the most gold medals ever won by any country.   This is a great accomplishment; again one of those rare moments when Canada shines above the world.
The final Gold Medal of the Vancouver Olympics is now the most watched sporting event in Canadian history.  The Canada – USA Gold Medal Game had all the drama (too much??) that one could ask for in a one game playoff.  A week earlier the Americans handily beat a lack luster Canadian team.  In order to make it to the medal round, Canada had to play one extra game.  That extra game in the Qualification Round may have been the best thing to happen to Team Canada.
Canada beat Germany in that game, as we all expected.  However, in that game, Canada began to play as a team.  The next day against the second seated Russian team, the Canadians forgot they were playing a “better team”. Canada out hit and out played our long time rivals.  Beating the Russians so handily made Gold seem like a possibility.  The Slovakia game was closer than we wanted, but thanks Slovaks for defeating the 2006 Gold Medal Swedes.
It all came down to Canada against the USA.  With a 2—0 lead, Canadian pride was sure to get a gold medal.  A 2-0 lead is the worst lead in hockey.  The USA got one goal in the second period.  In the third period, Canada played not to loose…and it almost worked.  However, Canadians can still see Zach Parise score the tying goal with 23 seconds left.  (Zach, don’t you remember your father JP Parise played for Canada in the 1972 Summit Series….how can you betray us?).
Overtime would decide it all.  In January the American Junior team defeated the Canadian Juniors in overtime.  Would history repeat itself?  In an overtime it is obvious that either team can win…so there is no advantage until you get the goal.
Canada carried the play most of the overtime.  However at about the seven minute mark, American forward JOE PAVELSKI, got a loose puck just in front of the Canadian net.  His quick shot went off the shoulder of goaltender Roberto Lunongo.  So close to losing it all….
Scott Neidermeier, Canada’s team captain, took the puck up the ice and passed it to a young center man named Sidney Crosby.  Crosby came up the ice and thought his chances were good; one of him against two American defenseman.  Instead of passing off or waiting, he tried to push his way between the two defensemen.  Chances are a one on two break does not work and it didn’t.  All four American defenders had Sid the Kid surrounded, what he could do?
When his split the defense plan didn’t work, he chased down the loose puck in the corner.  As he was moving it, the referee’s skate stopped the puck.  Crosby quickly passed to an open Jerome Iginla and headed for the net.  Seconds later, Iginla returned the puck to Crosby who immediately slapped the puck at the USA net.  How it went in, Sidney didn’t know. It was a goal that Canadians will never forget, from an Olympics we will never forget.
The excitement of everyone that day and in the days since is something that Canadians rarely experience…so savor the moments when sports was able to unite our country for 17 unforgettable days.
As the closing ceremonies celebrated the 2010 Vancouver Games, they also looked forward to the 2014 games to be held in Russia. While the Olympics do not bring world peace, they are one of the rare events that the world shares and enjoys together…at  least for 17 days the world is united and in peaceful competition.