I’ve seriously slacked on the whole blog writing dealio. I’m back into it now, and I have a couple ideas for the next few entries. I figure that if I want to be discovered and offered a book deal, I’m going to HAVE to keep writing in order for that to happen.
Anyway, I thought I would start off the new year of blog entries by writing about something purely Canadian: hockey. You all know what I’m talking about. The gold medal world juniors game between Canada and Russia was one that brought excitement, intrigue, and, let’s be honest, maybe a little cockiness. Sure, Russia was good. But hockey is OUR game. The sport of Canadians. Hell, we already beat Russia once!
Canada started out awesomely. Better than that. They were on fire. Visentin, who flexed his goaltending abilities against the Americans, was in goal. Ellis, Schenn, and Cowen were pegged as some of the strongest players in the tournament. All factors seemed to point towards the gold.
During the first two periods, Canada really showed gold medal ability. They played the offense, targeting the Russians and taking them down with quick checks to the board. They kept the puck, for the most part, in the Russian end. They maneuvered with grace, scoring three beauty goals against Russian goalie Shikin.
Perhaps rightly so, Shikin was pulled and Bobkov was put in for the remainder of the game, a move that would prove as the turning point for what was shaping up to be an easy win for Canada.
Entering into the third period on a Russian power play, something had changed. Our boys no longer seemed steadfast and determined. Gone were the offensive playing and the ruthless take downs of the Russian players. Russia scored a goal within the first few minutes. And then another just minutes, maybe seconds, later. 3-2, Russia.
We still had it. Canada was still winning. And then Russia scored their third goal, tying it up. Suddenly, that gold medal was getting further and further away. Team Canada seemed defeated in their playing habits. It was like they panicked, backing off to the Russians who were suddenly rounding on them with all of their might. And they didn’t fight back. At times, it was literally as though Canada was saying, “Here. Take the puck. I’m done.”
Visentin let in goals that should have been saves. The defense severely lacked any power. Canada provided the “comeback kids,” as Russia was dubbed, with the perfect opportunity to do just that.
And did they ever, ending the game and the tournament with a 5-3 lead over Canada and taking home the coveted gold medal.
Canadians everywhere felt defeated but, I think it’s safe to say, that no one was as defeated and ashamed as Team Canada. They fought hard, and they faltered. It’s life. It's hockey. Shit happens. And chances are, no one is beating them up more than themselves.
We got Silver. Sure, when you compare it to Gold, it’s a loss. But on its own? It’s still pretty damn good.
Love,
Bella
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