It is hard to explain just how huge hockey is for Canadians. I try to explain it to Americans and other foreigners but the message doesn’t really get through. You have to be Canadian to understand why this sport is so important to us. We spend much of the year in snow. In some parts of the country, lakes are frozen over 60% of the year. Kids learn to skate before they learn to walk. Winter sports are mandatory in every elementary school physical education curriculum across the country. Hockey Night in Canada, a hockey show that happens every Saturday night during the season, is an institution here. Families sit around the TV, toasty by the fire, to watch their Canadian teams play (since we’ve lived in the U.S. we’ve paid a special subscription fee to get these games in California!).
This is our game. It is the one thing Canadians will strip down for, will riot over, will shout about. It is our pride and joy. And it is a wonderful feeling to be here, in Vancouver, during these games. The energy is unbelievable.
Go Canada Go!
