Editorial: In hockey, going for the gold but accepting the silver
By: Staff Editorial
Posted on 01. Mar, 2010 in Opinions
In the final moments of yesterday’s gold medal hockey match between the United States and Canada, we kept our fingers crossed. The United States trailed Canada 1-2. There was under a minute left, and it didn’t look good.
Then, a second chance: Zach Parise scored a goal with only seconds left in the final period to tie the game 2-2.
The United States had a chance to breathe — for a moment.
But then, less than ten minutes into overtime, the Canadians ended the United States’ hopes for gold. The Penguins’ own Sidney Crosby scored the game-winning goal for Canada to end the sudden death period.
We would have loved to best our neighbor to the north. We hoped for a repeat of 1980’s epic Miracle on Ice.
When Team USA lost, you might have sunk your head, you might have cursed or threw your remote at the TV.
But was it really so bad?
Sure, we Americans were disappointed, but this game meant a lot more to Canada than it did to the United States. Maybe its hard to believe, but sometimes things are just more important to the other guy than they are to you.
We love hockey, but its Canada’s lifeblood. It’s one of the most entrenched hallmarks of the country’s culture and character. Also, this 14th gold medal for Canada trumps the record for most gold medals won by a nation at the Winter Games.
Canada hasn’t gotten the greatest feedback on its hosting of the games this time around. Whether it be its anticlimactic Opening Ceremony or general lack of snow, Canada’s been the butt of the joke even more than usual. Hosting the Olympics should bring great pride to a country, and Canada needed a grand finale — like, say, winning a gold medal in its marquee sport over Team USA in the final contest of the Games, surrounded by tens of thousands of Canadian spectators — to leave a sweet taste in its collective mouth. Could you imagine the mindset in that country if Team USA had come out with the win?
Except for those who were directly involved with the team, we’ll settle for the silver and move on with our lives. Crosby, Pittsburgh’s adorned hockey hero, might be viewed in a new, lesser light upon his return to the ’Burgh.
But these feelings won’t last. He’ll be back and he’ll win games for the Penguins. Pittsburghers’ respect for Crosby won’t disappear — he won the city a Stanley Cup, after all.
Four years is a long wait, but Crosby and Ryan Miller will surely have an engaging rematch Tuesday when the Penguins play the Buffalo Sabres. We’ll be watching.
4 Responses to “Editorial: In hockey, going for the gold but accepting the silver”
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Somehow even when you lose, Americans can be the most egotistical group of people on the face of the earth. Canada is BY FAR, not the butt of jokes. We are proud – certainly we enjoyed having BOTH the men’s and women’s hockey team bring home the GOLD, (and we’re NOT sorry, but thoroughly enjoyed the defeated looks of the American teams) but we are equally as proud of all 14 gold medals that our Canadian athletes won, as well as the 8 silver medals and 4 bronze medals. 26 medals in total for a country that has a population smaller than California is a HUGE accomplishment. We are also very proud of the opening ceremonies and the entire 17 days of the Olympics. No one can control the weather – although you as an arrogant American but think that is possible.
In the end, Canada OWNS the top of the podium – what better spot to own?? We hold the record for most gold medals of any nation. And typically we don’t rub it in others’ faces. But in this case…. Canada rules!!!
http://dailynightly.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2010/02/26/2213393.aspx
At least “some” American journalists have a bit of class and grace. The same cannot be said for the Editorial “team” at The Pitt News.
http://dailynightly.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2010/02/26/2213393.aspx
At least “some” American journalists have a bit of class and grace. The same cannot be said for the Editorial “team” at The Pitt News.
I don’t understand how you can say these rude things about America (and be so arrogant, even though, in your “defense”, you aren’t doing so)… I understand you have a small population, but there are small schools that can excel at things as well, meaning…
there might not be as much to choose from, but it means you train differently.
And congratulations for winning. You were the better team, many people could tell you that. It’s your national sport, your Olympics, and everything so it did mean more, and I think some people would have felt bad if you’d lost.
Canada and America are friends/allies, so they share respect for one another. And to be enjoying “the defeated looks of the American teams”: I think people get like that, I do. But at the same time, if all of your pleasure is coming off of someone else’s loss, not your gain, what does the big picture here show? In any case, you could be speaking of a job, you’re greatful for that loss, but be joyous over the victory.
So congrats, but one last thing: You may not be arrogant, but booing the American hockey team because they beat you once (ONCE!) is terrible sportsmanship, completely uncalled for, and very lacking in respect. I don’t think many people would boo Canada, even if you kicked our butts in, persay, 5-1, if we were the better team?
Sorry for the long comment, but one more thing: We’ve helped make your hockey players. They play on our NHL teams…