Expats rally for gold medal hockey performance
By David YoungCanadian expats crowded into Panama’s Superbook Sports Bar and Restaurant on Sunday to watch a game that for most Panamanians, was an anomaly,…the Winter Olympic (Ice) Hockey finals between Canada and the United States.
It was an event l that climaxed Canada’s most successful Winter Olympics, creating a new record of 14 Olympic gold medals . The previous record was shared by Norway, 2002 ,and the Soviet Union,1976, and it all took place on home territory far from Panama and its hockey starved fans.
But for most Canadians the holy grail is the hockey title. In a country where kids play soccer to improve their hockey moves and where hockey skates are an early symbol of approaching manhood (round about four years of age) the game is close to being an official religion.
The strength of this feeling was evident on Sunday, as the local Canucks crowded around the TV screens, beers in hand to cheer their heroes on against the favored Americans. Their only complaint, no suppy of the Canadian hockey staple, Molsons. But the Canadian flag and tee shirts were there.
American supporters were in the majority, but fell silent after the first quick fire goal for Canada, and when the home side led 2-0, some muttered it was all over. But, as all Americans know: It’s not over ‘til the fat lady sings, and the U.S. team came back ,reduced the lead to 2-1, and then ,with their goalkeeper pulled from the net and with just 24 seconds left on the clock, shocked the Canadian fans with a tying goal, and the American expat supporters dutifully raised the rafters. 
And so to a sudden death overtime, and panic attacks for Canadian fans reproducing tensions not felt since the final game of the Canada-Russia Hockey Series in 1972. That time, again in overtime Canada came out ahead, and to this day, any Canadian old enough at the time to strap on a pair of skates, can tell you the name of the goal scorer—Paul Henderson. Those of vintage years, who packed the lounge on Sunday, can tell you exactly where they were when that game was played.On Sunday, the miracle was repeated minutes into overtime, with Canada’s winning goal scored by Sidney Crosby who watched the 2002 Olympics on television as a 14 year old. His name too will be remembered.
Meanwhile in Panama, the Canucks erupted. Not quite as vigorously as their countryman in the frozen north, where the goal was described as the shot that went around the world, and that includes Panama.
My apologies for the quality of the photos. A malfunctioning camera did not appreciate the importance of the moment. {jathumbnail off}
