Olympic Hockey Finals - Private Party

I LOVE Olympic hockey because it distills our national love of the sport to its purest essence.

I still remember the wave of sound in my neighbourhood when the women won gold in Salt Lake in 2002. You didn't even need to be watching on TV.

Go, Canada, Go!

I love Olympic Hockey because it's a wonderful and exciting event to watch, especially since Canada has so many great hockey players.

I love olympic hockey for two reasons.First because the players are leaving it all out there on every shift not for a the sake of a salary but strictly for the pride of the country,and secondly it brings Canadians closer together as a nation full of excitement and energy.

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Hockey is the greatest spectator sport. Olympic hockey is the ultimate in competition.

I love Olympic hockey because it is the universal glue that connects Canadians as a country.

When it comes to Olympic hockey…… language, religion, colour or orientation is irrelevant.

We’re together as one - Team Canada!

Simple. I love Olympic hockey because Canada is just soooo good at it. 18-0, 10-1, 8-0, 13-1...best time to watch hockey! Lots of chances to cheer and celebrate the goals at each game!

I love all of the Olympics. I'm an Olympic junkie. I have it streaming at work and turn it on the second I get home. Hockey (men's and women's) is the highlight of the games for my husband and I. We're a hockey driven family with players in our extended family. Maybe one day we'll see an Olympian in our family. :)

I love Olympic hockey because as you stand and cheer, you know that there are thousands if not millions of people across the country doing exactly the same thing. We are joined together by our passion and love for a game that embodies the Canadian spirit.

I LOVE Hockey because its OUR game! Hockey is the soul of Canada! It's edgy and strong and fast moving! Its young and full of energy! Hockey unifies this country like no other thing possibly could!
GO CANADA!!!

I love Olympic Hockey because hockey is Canada's game and I love watching teams from other countries playing our game. I also think the Canadian Olympic Hockey team rocks!
GO TEAM GO!

I LOVE Olympic Hockey because ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN! You can never know who is going to win until the games are played.
The intensity of Olympic hockey is like no other. The focus is on skill and passion! The players are there because they are already the best we have to offer so that makes the outcome 99% sheer desire to want the win! and with a little (1%) luck - we'll earn GOLD! This is what makes hockey so Canadian - we are all in it together!
Lets Go Canada!

Canada is a tapestry of people, cultures, and traditions. We are many societies interwoven into one. But hockey? Hockey is distinctly Canadian. It's something which brings colleagues, friends, and communities together. Olympic hockey? It's something which brings us together as Canadians.

I love Olympic Hockey because it's exciting!

I love Olympic hockey because hockey is more than our game; it's what we do; it's who we are as a country. It's what unites us. Hockey is part of our collective experience as Canadians. It's the source of our pride as a nation.

We all remember where we were when Henderson scored to beat the Big Red Machine; when Wayne Gretzky WASN'T chosen to participate in the shootout; when Sakic scored to win Canada's first gold in 50 years.

When we put on those jerseys emblazoned with that red maple leaf, we are no longer western Canadians or eastern Canadians, we are no longer Ontarians or British Columbians or Manitobans - we are Canadians.

I love Olympic hockey because on February 28th, Canadian streets will fall silent and for one brief, shining moment, Canadians from coast to coast to coast will come together. We will do it with the confidence that with the eyes of the world upon us, we will overcome all obstacles before us and we will will be victorious. And we will remind the world that this is our game. This is our country. And this is our moment to shine.

I love Olympic hockey because it gives us the opportunity to showcase the sport we Canadians love, to the world.....go hockey.....go Canada!!!

I love Olypic Hockey because it brings friends and family together. The spirit is so strong and we live in such an amazing country that you can't help by fly on the wings of team spirit. Go Canada Go!!!!!

I love Olympic hockey!!! Hockey is a fabulous combination of skill, determination and heart. Seeing the best in the world compete for their country against each other for that gold medal is the best event around!

Olympics brings out the best in sportsmanship and pride.
I never watch NHL hockey but really enjoy Olympic hockey - it's the game in it's purist form, no fighting, just good clean hockey as it should be. Players not out for the almighty dollar but players playing for the love of the game and the love of country.

I watched Russia v. Canada in 1972 and it turned me onto the great sport of hockey. It was a defining moment for me as a Canadian. I would love to experience this again especially with my daughter, age 7, who I adopted from China. She is so pumped about the Olympics and has been routing for Canada. Because of the Olympics we have had a few chats about what it means to be Canadian, and she's trying to make sense of her identity having been born in China. We went to Vancouver for the festivities but couldn't get tickets that were affordable to a sporting event. She really wants to go to something and I would love to share this once in a lifetime experience with her.

Are you kidding me? Olympic hockey is the most incredible hockey around. It beats the Stanley Cup because you've got the whole country cheering for 1 team as apposed to just a city or province. And you absolutely know that the players are all playing for the love of the game and the country! Got to live it! Go Canada!!

I LOVE Olympic Hockey because our Canadian Team is HOT, HOT, HOT and we have great potential to win the gold medal! Everyone loves winners!

I Love Olympic Hockey Because
Nothing brings this country together like Olympic Hockey. It creates one of those "I remember exactly where I was" moments when we will, that stay with you a lifetime.

I love Olympic Hockey, because it's one of the few times I see Canada come together as a nation to cheer for our players, regardless of if the person is a sports fan or not. Instead of gathering together in rallies to fight our government or fight with each other, we join together to show our pride for being Canadian and the investors of this great game(along with many other)!

I love Olympic hockey cause it is a tradition that fosters national pride.
I watched with my family when I was young, and now I watch with my sons.
When they have children they will carry on 'tradition'.
Besides, I love hockey and would watch with the same enthusiasm if it were the kids playing in front of our house. ;-)

I love Olympic Hockey because today was a great day for Canadians in Olympic Sports. Lots of medals today and winning the hockey game. I remember watching the Canada/Russia Hockey game on a black and white television all those years ago and I still find that excitement when I watch Canada play Olympic Hockey!

I love Olympic Hockey because (and you're not all going to like this): you don't have to wait through the jostling and fighting for a game of hockey to break out.

Thank you to everyone for all your comments. I love hearing the different stories and memories. Hockey sure is a Canadian passion whether you were born here or not.

I've been reluctant to wade into the conversation and talk about our team's performance for fear of any bad "ju ju" as someone said in a recent tweet. AKA "hex, voodoo, jinx, whammy, karma..." But tonight's performance was brilliant. Can't wait to see the game on Friday.    

I'm also compelled to respond to Nick's joke about hockey/fighting. I lived in the UK for a time and went to a one football match, and while the players didn't fight, I was genuinely afraid for my life in the stands and parking lot with what was going on. Even though the police almost outnumbered the fans. But then I shouldn't judge football by that one match...

I love Olympic Hockey because it brings out the best in our team. When I watch a hockey game I like to watch hockey, not fighting and the Olympic Games is pure hockey. I'm looking forward to the Women's Game today!

I love Olympic Hockey because it's one of Canada's best games. I'd love to win the party and treat my daughters and son-in-laws to the game. They are huge hockey fans!

I love Olympic hockey because it brings together Leafs, Canucks and Habs fans into one big happy rink. This is our game - we all have fond memories of rinkburgers, hot chocolate and even sweaty gear in the locker room!

I love it because I am an Edmonton fan and after this season of NHL hockey its nice to be behind a team that can actually win (and has a goalie that will stay in the net, I still havent forgiven Khabibulin).

Thanks for entering and all the wonderful comments everyone. The contest is now closed.

We will announce the winner later today or tomorrow. 

Congratulations to the Olympic Private Party winner Darnell Marr who entered on the Rocky Mountain Soap faceboook page http://ow.ly/1bnNo  

Enjoy the game Darnell (and your 14 guests)! Go Team Canada...