This is a dark day indeed. I should be wearing a black arm band today because I am in mourning. Yes, I mourn a death...the death of a dream that our country would rise up to defend its Hockey title. But that dream is dead. No medal, no honor, no glory. Just a quiet plane trip home and 4 years to contemplate what happened.
Oh, the good days, just a few weeks ago, when our hopes were high and our spirits soared with the thought of a team that could do no wrong. It was said that this was the year that Canada had such a long list of players that were worthy to play, we could've sent two teams to compete on an Olympic Stage. The Selection was a highly celebrated event which all of Canada eagerly anticipated. The Heroes would be chosen. The Team was assembled. And under the guidance of our very own Hockey Guru, Mr Gretzky, we sent the team off with the well-wishes of an entire nation. Oh, the good days...
It was with baited breath that we watched Canada skate out to their first game to pull off a 7-2 win. The goals came fast and hard, with Calgary's very own Jarome Iginla scoring Canada's first goal. It was a win, albeit, a jet-lagged win.
Then came Germany. Another win with 5-1 the end result. Canada's sights were set on a podium already. But then, the cracks formed in our concrete chimera. The Swiss pulled off an unbelievable win against the Czechs, and were next due to face up against Canada. No one doubted the Swiss were good, but did we underestimate? Canada struggled, and lost.
The next two games, Canada were visibly shaken, not posted a single goal in both games. If Hope floats, these were the needles in our liferaft.
One last effort was made and Canada looked breifly like it might pull it together again, posting a 3-2 win against the mighty Czechs. But not when it counted.
Canada could not manage to score a single goal in our last game against the Russians, losing not only the game, but the vision of once again coming home the Golden Boys.
What went wrong? Ours is not the right to ask that question, but to look to the future. If I could ask one thing out of this tragedy, it would be that we do not stoop to making excuses for our team, but display a graciousness that becomes us as Canadians. We will look to the future. We will train harder. We will not be shaken again.
So this is my eulogy. It is a dark day in Canada, but every dusk has its dawn. And I for one, will continue to cheer on our Canadian boys.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Eloquently put, Jer! I heard one newspaper describe Wednesday as "four medals and a funeral." (we got 4 medals the same day the hockey team lost). Others were wondering if that's all we can get for 120 million (the combined salaries on the team). Thank goodness for our women, especially the women's hockey team, who outscored the competition something like 48-2 through the whole tournament. We're guaranteed one more medal today in men's curling. Brad Gushue from Newfoundland is playing in the gold medal game, so he'll either get gold or silver. Apparently, no one from NFLD has ever won an Olympic medal, and they are closing the schools this afternoon so all the kids can see the game. Only in Newfoundland!
Mom
This is well put Jeremy! You make this Canadian dad proud! More Canadians could learn from you!
Dad
PS Can I pass this on to our local paper?
Post a Comment