Will you marry me Sidney Crosby?

What an epic goal! That goal will go down in the history of Canada. 20 years from now elementary social studies students will be taught that from their text books. They will be quizzed on it. They will know that in the overtime of the gold medal game Iginla passed to Crosby who scored the game winning goal. Making each and ever single Canadian extremely proud and prompted hundreds of parties from coast to coast in this great land of ours.

I could go into detail about how they lost a 2 - 0 lead and let the opposing team tie it up 30 seconds before the game was over but it doesn't matter now because we are the champions. DOUBLE GOLD in hockey. Both men's and women's teams did us proud.

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In fact every single athlete at this game represented Canada with grace and dignity. We are Canadians and for 17 days we let loose and we showed our patriotism. We partied. We drank beer and smoked cigars. We filled the streets of our city while proudly displaying our maple leaf. We are not the same. Things like this change a country. Now we have so many more reasons to be proud. To brag. We are no longer Americas hat. We are Canada and we are strong.

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This has all got me thinking though about the cultural influence the USA has on us here in Canada. I've been contemplating taking a look at the culture by 'fasting' from all american media in an effort to draw attention to the great Canadian talent we have in this country. Be it music, tv shows, movies etc. I will go for a month USA free and see what happens.

TRUE NORTH STRONG AND FREE!

That was too close for comfort.

So this winter Olympics look like it will finish with a lot of Canada VS. USA match-ups. In Team Pursuit, and hockey. That's all I can think of off the top of my head. I'm sure there will be a lot of close calls.

That hockey game against Slovakia was stupid. Our guys totally relaxed during the 3rd period when they should have been playing harder and more offensively. Either way though we are in Sunday's match-up against the states and I hope we win.

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A couple of crashes in 4 man Bobsleigh. Pierre Luders was really pissed after he came down about how many idiots were crashing. Seriously if you don't know how to drive a sled stay at home and don't come to the Olympics. It's not the track. The track is certified. There are more dangerous tracks out there. These "athletes" just can't handle it. I'm ticked too. Gosh!

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On a happier note though we won a couple of gold medals this evening in short track speed skating. Yay! Cheryl Bernard also curled herself to a silver. It was a good game I have a lot of respect for the Swedish team they played. It was a well deserved victory on their part and while I would have wanted us to win I can't think of a better team to have lost to. They were very skilled.

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People say Canadians have changed. I don't agree. We have always been this way. Either no one was looking while we are like this or we hid ourselves. Deep down most if not all Canadians secretly think we are better than Americans. We get treated like their doormats on so many levels. Then when we actually get noticed by them we are their hip friend that they like to brag about but really don't care to know. The best example of something like this is when someone is trying to be seen as open minded then makes the inevitable statement "I have a lot of gay friends." to in some way prove they are open minded and with it. But by merely saying that they prove that they aren't. Kind of like that. We maybe are expressing our national pride a bit more openly but it is after all the Olympics people.

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And if you win a gold medal you are allowed to drink beer. I don't care how old you are.

GOLD IN WOMEN'S HOCKEY - SO HAPPY I COULD CRY!!

What a day!

Canada defends their title as Olympic Champions. Gold! I love that team so much. I'm going to get a poster and put it on my wall. My nerves were shattered though. I didn't realize how much I cared about their performance until I started getting light headed while watching the game.

I was surprised St. Pierre didn't play goal but boy Szabados did a great job. She made every save and shut-out those pesky Americans. This team has meant so much to Canada over the years and this was a well deserved medal. They really were the deepest most hardworking and most prepared. They deserved this.

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I couldn't for the life of me remember Paul Coffey's name today. I had to dig through the stack of hockey cards but for some reason his name escaped me. I know it now of course but only because my Grandfather (who ain't no spring chicken) remembered. It was funny.

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And who could forget Joannie Rochette. She didn't have the best skate out there but it was good enough for bronze and considering the circumstances it looked pretty golden to me.

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Don't forget Canada to tune in tomorrow for the Men's and Women's Curling finals. We go for GOLD! Also Canada VS. Slovakia in men's hockey. That should be a good game. So tune in Brian Williams will be there!

Wonderful Women's Wednesday!

Gold Women's 2 Man Bobsleigh

Silver Women's 2 Man Bobsleigh

Silver Women's short track 3000m Relay

Bronze Women's 5000m Long Track Speed Skating!

My favourite team though were the two ladies who won silver in the 2 man bobsleigh Helen Upperton and Shelly-Ann Brown. They were just a pleasure to watch!

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Canada may not be 'owning the podium' but we have as many gold medals as any other country. We have strong chances of owning the gold medal position at these Olympics!!

This is one of my favourite quotes of the games so far. It's from Shelly-Ann Brown."I can't even express the amount of jubilation that I'm feeling right now. I'm so proud to be Canadian, I'm so, so thankful for everybody and grateful to everybody...Thank you Canada, this is yours. Thank you."

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To top it all off we beat the Russians in hockey ... we didn't just beat them we slaughtered them.

Hughes, Klassen and Groves Rock The Rink!

Clara Hughes skates to bronze in her final Olympics. She made a new track record with her skate but sadly it was broken twice leaving her with the bronze.

Hughes had a great quote after the race about being more proud to be a Canadian than to be a multiple medal winner in multiple Olympics. I wish I could find it but my memory isn't that great. Heck I remember Hughes when she was cycling in Atlanta back in 96. That was a long time ago.

Cindy Klassen had a less than stellar skate but she really has potential to keep training and do well in 2014. Really she has the ability she just isn't in the greatest shape. I mean it's totally understandable because of her surgery and the tragic accident her sister was in. So she wasn't as good as she would have been had she not been forced to take a year off. If she comes back for anouther Olympics I guarantee you that she will get a medal.

Both women are from Winnipeg and I bet their hometown is proud. I know there is a skating complex named after Klassen and a small park after Hughes but after these olympics they should build anouther rink in Hughes honour. A small park?? Come on Winnipeg!

Groves skated well but did not make the podium. That's OK she's forgiven she already has 2 medals ... haha!

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The big hockey game is tonight and most of the country will be tuned in to see Canada VS. Russia. So GO CANADA GO!!

We also have strong contenders for medals in Women's 2 man Bobsled!!! YAY! Go Canada!

Joannie Rochette is a trooper

Well Rochette just finished her first skate of these Olympics and as soon as the music stopped the tears started. The look on her face was enough to make anyones heart break for her and her family. She decided to skate despite the recent passing of her mother and that was a good call. She would have regretted it had she not skated. Plus this gives us an opportunity to as Canadians to support one of our own. Every single Canadian is behind Joannie Rochette.

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The men's hockey team defeated Germany easily. So that was nice. The only thing that I would have done better is I would have given Nash his penalty shot rather than giving it to Crosby. Seriously Nash deserved it way more.

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Gold for Ashleigh McIvor in Ski-Cross. Yay!!! It was a good race!

It was nice to see all three medalists so happy and friendly with one anouther.

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir Gold Medalists!!

Virtue and Moir made history tonight by becoming the first North Americans (and Canadians at that) to win gold in ice dance. They blew the competition out of the water by winning by 6 points. They are also pretty darn young at ages 22 and 20 respectively. They have been skating since they were little and it looks like all those hours spent at the rink paid off! Good for them. Everyone is happy. You log onto facebook and all you see is status updates about the newest gold medal in the trophy case of Canada. Where Shae-Lynn Bourne and Victor Kratz paved the way Virtue and Moire went! It was fantastic.

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The Canadian Women advance to the finals in hockey. They will be facing rivals USA. I'm really hoping and praying that we win that game. They have it in them to win. I firmly believe that we have a strong strong team. I really don't want to jinx this post by saying we have the stronger team so I won't. As long as they keep it simple. Keep making good passes through the neutral zone and keep getting the puck to Megan Agosta ... lol.

I'm buying a poster and I'm putting it on my wall these girls are truly heros in my opinion to all Canadians and they are making us all proud.

*sniff I think I might shed a tear*

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Anyone catch that Brian Williams and Brian Williams bit they did earlier today? It was hilarious. I know every Canadian loves Brian Williams (the Canadian one) and it just wouldn't be the Olympics without him doing the prime-time show. Plus after Brian Williams (the American one) interview on Q he deserves honorary Canadian status. That's not something to be given out lightly either.

I have no words

I like all Canadians joined in the collective sigh of disbelief. I know it's more than disbelief. It's more like a "AHHH WHAT THE HELL??"

That's ok. We are down but definitely not out.

A good sport at 4th place is better than a poor sport winning gold.

Melissa Holingsworth got up on national TV and apologized for getting 5th place in women's skeleton. On the one hand she did so well. Fifth place is nothing to laugh at. She did every Canadian proud by getting up there and competing with the best of them. That's what the Olympics are about. So she felt by not medaling that she in some way let Canada down. On the contrary she is amazing and she did us proud. On the other hand she really didn't need to apologize at all. For all the reasons stated above. She is amazing and she competed with everything she had inside of her so no need to apologize Melissa you are amazing. Just get back out there and keep on doing what you love and as long as you do that with the Canadian pride and spirit that you show all the signs of having you will do us proud each and every time. That way you can never let us down.

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Melissa Holingsworth is not the only athlete that finished just under the wire for a medal. Chris Del Bosco an American born ski cross Olympian who is competing for Canada fell during the final losing out on a chance for the bronze. But it's ok. He is still a valued Canadian athlete ... even if he is adopted into our country.

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My condolences to Joannie Rochette and her family as her mother Therese passed away. The Canadian people are behind you during this difficult time.

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These Olympics have been plagued with controversy and tragedy. But the spirit of the Canadian people cannot waver. Even if we don't win gold in hockey. We are still going to be as proud to be Canadian as we were before the games.

The Hamelin Brothers while they should not be confused with the Mario Bros. still should have ^a bb ^a to those two Koreans.

Sadly no medals today (so far) but I am pretty sure that Jon Mongomery's walk through Whistler to be interviewed by the CTV was the most epic thing ever. Everyone patting him on the back, someone handing him a pitcher of beer. It was pretty sweet.

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No medals for the Hamelin brothers but man those Koreans with all their infractions were starting to get annoying. I mean this is the Roller Derby on ice so stuff like that is to be expected for sure but come on. There are real judges who will really disqualify you if you push or shove someone.

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One of Canada's two man bobsleigh crashed tonight. It was quite the scene. They flipped a couple of times. Mistakes are made and sadly stuff like that ends your time in the Olympics really fast.

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I don't know about you but I am really getting annoyed with that Believe song they keep playing on CTV. It's on my brain every waking moment of every day. It wouldn't be so annoying but the part of the song that's currently stuck in my head is the kids choir part. AHHHHH

Gold Or Nothing

So Jon Montgomery just picked up a gold medal in men's Skeleton. That excitement was so infectious. I seriously thought if I stuck my head out the window I could hear the cheering in Russell, MB. It's great!! Plus he's such a character the way he jumped on that podium and those goofy teeth/mouthguard thing he wears. It's great!!

But then I come home and start reading Olympic coverage about the USA Women's Hockey team and I got all riled up and angry. Not so much at them and what they were doing. They were only on Ellen after all. But more or less riled up and edgy because I want Canada to win that gold medal SO bad. Who's with me? This is such a serious rivalry we have with the US. As far as I'm concerned I don't care where we place as long as it's ahead of the Americans. It was stated so eloquently by someone other than myself. "but we just haven't gotten over them having our flag on the floor." and it's so true. Hayley Wickenheiser's interview with Don Cherry after winning really sums up our passion for the sport and our love for Canada.

We are a passive people. That's what makes us so great but don't come between us and our hockey.

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In other news that is just as important yesterday we achieved anouther gold medal. I would have blogged about it but I did not have the time near an internet connection. So I apologize. Yes speed skating is a strength for Canada and that was affirmed yesterday in the 1000m women's race. Christine Nesbitt you are a hero!

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Last but certainly not least I want to touch on the controversy surrounding these games. And while trying not to sound like a elementary student when I say this but the other countries are just jealous. Brian Williams (the NBC news anchor) put it best when he was interviewed by the great Jian Ghomeshi on Q, he said they are just cynical and the Canadians remind them of better times when people were nice to each other. That is it in a nutshell.

What about the luge death? You ask. Well I'm sorry that that happened but our track is certified it was JUST a tragic accident. This is the Olympics. This is the toughest competition in the world.

One last thing before I sign off the American and the British media have been very rude to us. But maybe if they took a drive through Stanley Park, drove around downtown Vancouver, visited Whistler and had a beer with some Canadians as they watched a game of hockey, (it doesn't even have to be a game that Canada plays in) they might realize just how awesome Canadians are and what we are really about.

If Shaun White doesn't want to be called The Flying Tomato then he shouldn't have the same hair as Carrot Top

That's it in a nutshell. Shaun White has a red afro and he has to deal with being called The Flying Tomato. I'm sure that seeing as how he has two gold medals he can suck it up.

I have to admit though I really wanted him to fall. HARD! But when you have your own half pipe you better win or else. He did seem genuinely happy so I can't be all angry towards him.

I know this is not Canadian but I figured seeing as how it was all that was on my television what else would I say.

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On a different note Canada took home anouther medal today. This time it was a silver in short track speed skating. On her 20th birthday Marianne St. Gelais sped to victory. To look at her face when the race was over and how she carried around the flag you'd think she'd won the gold. And that ladies and gentlemen is what the Olympics are about.

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And the Norwegian pants are making more headlines than the Norwegians themselves. I think it's still up in the air if this is a good thing or not. I think it is. Seriously they are sweet pants. You have to make a fashion statement at the Olympics.

Take that Sweden

Well it was quite a game. Not in that it was very exciting. But it was interesting for a few reasons. Hayley Wickenheiser now holds the record for most olympic goals at 16. Meghan Agosta got a hat trick and for such a young player she is really one of the ones to watch. She shows a lot of potential to become one of the next leaders of Team Canada.

Speaking about leaders though, Sarah Vaillancourt played a really solid game. Honestly in my mind she is one of the future leaders of Team Canada.

They were outplayed by the Swedes in the third period.

All in all though the Canadian team is well deserving of the pride our country has in them. I'm glad they were relentless with the goals. And to those who say Canada is unfair chew on this, Hayley Wickenheiser is holding a conference/tournament in March to help build women's hockey worldwide. On top of this Hockey Canada will be holding a similar conference in the summer. Canada is like hockey missionaries we just want to help build this sport and spread a love for this game. So what are the Americans doing to build sports outside of their country eh?

Be sure to tune in to Maelle Ricker's gold medal presentation tonight. I believe but don't quote me that it is Alberta night down at BC Place.

Maelle Ricker and the Norwegian Curling Teams Pants

Maelle Ricker will be awarded with her gold medal tonight in Vancouver. It's exciting for Canadians and no doubt exciting for her. Congrats.

The awesome thing about Maelle is that she keeps getting up. She fell during one of the timed races early in the day yesterday but she got back up and finished the race. A bigger example of her drive and determination is her experience in Italy 4 years ago. She was seriously injured. They had to take her out on a helicopter. But she didn't quit. She kept going. And tonight she is going to be rewarded for that determination with a gold medal. And Canada as a whole will be rewarded for her determination because when one Canadian wins we all do. So good job MAELLE RICKER!!! You are a Canadian hero!

I'd like to suggest though that not only is she a hero to young women who snowboard that she be a hero to young men. That determination is something we can all learn from.

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Ok So many of you probably have seen the pants worn by the Norwegian curling team. I myself watched the very close very exciting game between Kevin Martin's rink and the Norwegians. It had to go into an extra end. Even if you haven't seen the game I'm sure you've seen the pants. You can even become a fan of the trousers on facebook. So do it! Become a fan! They are something else.

Canadian hockey teams go in for the kill!

Ok so here's the deal. The Canadian women's hockey team is taking a lot of flak about how they absolutely destroyed the other teams they have played so far. And yes the scores have been pretty crazy. But hello people. This is the Olympics. This isn't a round robin on the outdoor rink by the arena. This is the big leagues and this is where it counts. I have yet to hear anything about how the US women's hockey team beat Russia 13 - 0.

Women to watch wearing our glorious maple leaf are of course wearing #22 Hayley Wickenheiser, #26 Sarah Vaillancourt, #17 Jennifer Botterill, along with Piper, Mickkelson, Sostorics, and Apps. I could really list the whole team here as they are all amazing but these are the ladies that stood out for me in the game against the Swiss.

Everyone feels that because we're Canadians we need to be polite but this is hockey we're talking about. This is where the rubber meets the road as far as our national pride and morale goes. Sorry and please go out the window as soon as an international hockey game is on the line.

Speaking about hockey, How about that Iginla/Crosby/Nash line? Wow!