In Canada ice hockey is a BIG deal. Besides being the official winter sport, most of the development of modern ice hockey happened here. The first organized indoor game was in Montreal, 1875. The rules of the game were codified by Canadian students, and the first ice hockey club was funded in Montreal.

Today I witnessed the 2010 Olympics hockey final for the gold medal between two old rivals: Canada vs USA. The game was epic! US tied the score only 25 seconds before the end of the match, thus extending the game in sudden death mode. Finally, Canada broke the tie and secured the 2010 hockey gold medal.

As a foreigner in Vancouver, I was very impressed with how Canadians celebrate this sport and I captured a few pictures and videos to show you.

Here’s a bunch of Canadians in a pub at the beginning of the game. Nothing really going on, somebody taking a call, just chillin’.

Now here’s what happens when Canadians score! You’d better turn down the volume by a few notches. It is LOUD! :)

Let’s go out and see what’s going on on the streets!

“Go Canada!”, high-fives, free hugs, and loud cheers all around. The streets are full in the middle of the day!

Vancouver is going crazy!

This guy was arrested for a minor offense - he climbed on the bus station. :)

I’m happy to be in Vancouver in these moments! It’s moving to watch thousands of people celebrating together. It’s not good times that test the strength of a country but they do show how Canadians truly love their homeland.