In Canada, there is one single sport drawing nearly all of us with its brilliant flame -- hockey. Some of us don't follow it religiously. Many do. Some merely follow the NHL play-off games. Some only pay attention to Olympic hockey. Any way you look at it, Canadians love their hockey and will get involved on some level to cheer for our players.
The recent Olympic Games are a perfect example of that. The games we relish the most are against the United States of America -- there were over a million of us watching the Canadian vs. USA games on Thursday and Friday. At work. In malls. In bars. Home. Wherever we could get the game. There's a couple reasons for this intense rivalry.
First and foremost: it's our game. The first organized game was played in Montreal in the late 19th century. We've owned this game for many years -- until USA figured out how to maintain ice in their warmer States and realized it was a multi-million dollar adventure.
Second: USA is like the oldest sibling who is used to winning. Used to receiving more accolades. Used to looking down their noses at the rest of the siblings because they are bigger and stronger.
Third: Canada is like the youngest sibling, if you will. We are the nice, little pain in the ass. The jokester. The fun country who willingly helps others without causing war and strife -- and for this we are often lauded as a very pleasant people. In fact, other countries often remark on the fact Canadians are too nice. My reply has always been they have not pissed us off yet. We don't fight unless we can back it up, then we will quietly kick your ass -- with a smile. Yet another tribute to us. We do just about everything with a smile. After all, life was meant to be enjoyed.
The other part of hockey we love, is the after-game ribbing. We good-naturedly tease and torment one another with some vicious slams. There are crying towels to be "thrown" at our opposition. There's better luck next time because we know -- at some point -- our favorite team is going to triumph over yours. We enjoy our verbal tormenting of one another -- win or lose. We've got the comments worked out in our heads already -- win or lose. Why? It's all a part of hockey culture. Our game.
Unfortunately, Americans take our game far too seriously. They don't have fun with it -- it's only about the win. Which is why they hit the brick wall of Canada's hockey team, even though most of their best players are trained here, on Canadian soil, by Canadian coaches.
Both games were absolutely amazing -- particularly the women's. USA was kicking our asses -- until the last few minutes of the third period where we miraculously tied it up and stole it out from under them in over time. The US goalie threw her stick off to the side. You won't see Canadians pull this kind of poor-sport antic. We may be pissed that we lost, but we will smile and say "good game". There was also the alleged incident in the 2002 Olympics where the US women were said to have thrown our flag on the locker room floor and stomped on it. Our reply was "would you like us to sign it for you?"
Humor is Canada's crowning character.
After this amazing game between the women, the men were up to play against USA. It was a running joke on social media the men needed to play like girls. And play like the girls, they did. They held a 1-0 lead for most of the game. It was a beautiful game. No matter which side of the border you sit on.
This is where the difference between Canadians and Americans becomes crystal clear. Canadians were still having fun with this -- in true Canadian style. We threw insults out there such as: how do you make an American cry? Canadians win. Again!! And, USA got their heavy metal colours mixed up; forgot which colour was the best one. Among so many others it's impossible to count.
Unfortunately, Americans sulk when they lose. They say nothing. Absolutely nothing. There were no good-natured rants that came our way. No replies to any of our ribbing. No smart-mouth comments. No "we'll get you next time". Not even a "good game". Nothing. Only silent pouting... No doubt, their social media is full of insults -- but they don't have the balls to direct them at any Canadians. Why? They know we are full of good-natured slams. They know we taught them this game. They know it belongs to us. They know we will win the verbal assault -- just like we did the Olympic hockey game.
To which I say: that's the game; suck it up, Princess!
Because, after all, it is just a game. It's not a war that MUST be won. (By the way, in the war of 1812, Canadians kicked American ass back to the White House and burned it.)
These were two spectacular games with nothing to be ashamed of. Canadians never forget this. It's still fun -- win or lose. That's what games are meant to be. It's something USA citizens need to learn...
So the next time Canadians kick your asses, don't pout. Don't go silent. Step into the circle, face off and learn how to have fun.
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