It’s a Canadian’s game

Posted by admin on Feb 22, 2007 in News, Sports | 0 comments

Last night, a score was settled. Last night, twenty-two men left the George Preston Center with their tails between their legs. Because last night, the Canadian women proved, once again, that hockey is the Canadian game. When the final buzzer went, the scoreboard read 3-1 in favour (yes, that’s favour, not favor) of the women, giving them a decisive victory.

When the game began at 11:15 p.m. last night, the stands were crowded with expectant fans. The American half of the arena, though less full than the Canadian, made up for their smaller number with high spirits. Fans sported signs saying, “Public Health is For Babies,” and “Girls are Over-rated,” and even the Statue of Liberty showed up to cheer the men on.

On the Canadian half, it was red and white and red all over, as many fans came face-painted and warmly dressed in long-johns and toques. Though the Canadians were rowdy, a few mounties and their horse showed up to make sure that everyone was kept in line.

After two equally beautiful renditions of the Canadian and American anthems, Mac Thompson, a long-time employee at TWU, performed the honourary puck drop. The women got an early lead, scoring two goals right off the first two face-offs. It appeared that the game may turn out to be a gong show like previous years. But the men came back and fought hard throughout the first and second periods, until halfway through the second period, when James Powell scored the American’s only goal, refusing Canadian goaltender Gabby Labastida her shut-out.

As the game neared its end, it was Canadian captain Trista Barker’s goal, scored with only 1:03 remaining, that sealed the fate of the Americans. Though the women walked away with the trophy, it was a proud night for both teams who had a chance to defend the honour of their country and have some fun.

The overall series score is now officially even. Of the eighteen Can-Am games that have been played since the first in 1980, the American men have won nine and the Canadian women have won nine.