Hockey-crazed Canadians from coast to coast thought nothing of getting an early morning start and streaming into bars — and even a Halifax church — on Sunday to watch and triumphantly celebrate Team Canada capturing Olympic gold.
The die-hard crowd at the Real Sports bar in downtown Toronto exploded in an ear-splitting roar as Canada topped Sweden 3-0 to win its second consecutive Olympic gold medal in men's hockey.
Beer — which began flowing when the puck dropped thanks to relaxed liquor rules — was tossed into the air from red hockey-boot mugs, while revellers mounted chairs and tables in unbridled joy as red-and-white streamers fluttered down on them.
'4:30 in the morning is nothing to watch this.'- Hockey fan Mike Berks in Toronto
Superfan Mike Berks knew what to wear for the big game — a hockey helmet mounted with a working red goal light — and thought nothing of getting up well before sunrise for the gold-medal contest.
"This is our team, this is what we live, this is what we breathe, this is what we do — 4:30 in the morning is nothing to watch this," he said as fans decked out in red-and-white jerseys hooted and hollered around the bar.
"There's no doubt that Canada's the No. 1 hockey team in the world. This is it, Canada's No. 1."
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford was among the capacity crowd in the city's Maple Leaf Square, where he briefly pulled many eyes away from the jumbo screen as he posed for photos with fans.
"This is what Canada's all about — it's hockey right? When people say how do you define Canada, I say, wait until there's a hockey game," Ford said.
Crowds then spilled into the streets, with a throng of fans paralyzing a major downtown intersection.
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau celebrates as he watches Team Canada score against team Sweden in the gold medal game at the Sochi Olympics. (Graham Hughes/Canadian Press)
Meanwhile, in Vancouver snowy weather, no booze and an early 4 a.m. game time didn't stop the outpouring of jubilation at a downtown sports bar.
David Addison stayed up all night to make sure he'd get a spot at the Sin Bin Sports Grill and said the fact the taps were dry due to provincial liquor laws didn't take away from a fantastic win.
"The energy in there is electric," said Addison pointing the crowd in the bar. "We're just going to high-five and hug a bunch of strangers and feel really, really awesome."
Montreal fans packed into a stretch of downtown pubs to watch the gold medal matchup.
'We're just going to high-five and hug a bunch of strangers and feel really, really awesome.'- Hockey fan David Addison in Vancouver
One group of women decided to wear their pyjamas to the game.
"When I'm on vacation, I don't usually get up at 6:30, so I decided to come like this," said Montrealer Nathalie Theoret.
For many the celebratory eruptions started as the clock ticked away the final seconds of the game, Canada's decisive 3-0 lead no longer in any doubt.
The hockey faithful jumped out of their seats and waved flags over balconies at a two-storey sports bar in downtown Halifax just before the final buzzer.
Some cried as they watched the players receive their gold medals, and the fans in Sidney Crosby's hometown let out an ear-splitting cheer when it was his turn to accept gold.
Bonnie Forrestall said Crosby's breakaway goal during the second period that cemented Canada's lead was the highlight of the game.
"Sidney Crosby showed who he really is," said the Halifax resident, who was amid the crowd at HFX Sports Bar and Grill. "(He's) always in the moment when he needs to be. He's there, always."
Crosby, Jonathan Toews, and Chris Kunitz scored their first goals of the tournament in the gold medal game, while goaltender Carey Price earned his second straight shutout.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper honoured the hockey heroes.
"Today's exciting victory by this exceptional group of players has demonstrated once again that hockey truly is Canada's game," he said in a statement.
Canadians watching the game both here and aboard lit up Twitter as the squad in Sochi took home the coveted medal.
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau tweeted "This is OUR game! Congrats to .TeamCanada on completing the sweep of hockey gold!"
Many Canadians proudly tweeted posted photos of friends and family crowded around TVs worldwide as they cheered on Team Canada.
"Dubai>a bar full of Canucks rooting for Team Canada!" tweeted celebrity chef Michael Smith, along with a photo of himself in a hockey jersey surrounded by cheering fans.
Several hockey devotees used Twitter to track down a pub in London, U.K., that would show the Olympic hockey final instead of Premier League soccer.
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