$0.02 from a PROUD Canadian :
Team USA is a class act, indeed!
😎 Mike Richter can hold his head high - it was a stellar game! Sportsmanship was abundant post game, too. The sight of the Canadians congratulating the US bench and the American team shaking hands with Mr. Quinn and The Great One warmed even the coldest Canadian Hockey-Fan hearts. One of my favourite scenes took place at centre ice (just above the now infamous 'Lucky Loonie') as Detroit Red Wings teammates (and cross-border Olympic "rivals") grouped together for a team photo.
😀 Everyone, Gold and Silver medalists alike, was smiling, shaking hands, and offering congratulations - truly momentous!
There wasn't a "loser" for miles of that rink yesterday. I'm sure I speak for most Canadian athletes when I say there has never been a more worthy opponent, or a more entertaining rivalry than that which exists with our US neighbors. I'll be hoping for a rematch in 2006, but until then, one thing is clear... the rivalry exists solely on the ice - everywhere else, it's allies to the end!
Kraftie
P.S. As for Football, I say bring it on!
(but what *are* those NFL boys going to do while ours are playing the fourth down... their nails?
😉)