A goal is scored!

How fitting, that the fate of Canada's standings at their own Olympic Games should come down to 'their Game' in a showdown against their rival for Olympic number one and constant nemesis the United States.

When the Canadian mens ice hockey team skates into the arena on Sunday, they will not just be skating for the gold medal and the chance to atone for the travesty of Torino 2006, when they failed miserably to meet the huge expectations placed upon them, they will be fighting for their nation's spot as the best country of the Olympics - in terms of gold medals won.

It's a little too soon to say whether the ice hockey final will literally tip the balance for Canada - there are several events being contested today and tomorrow that will affect medal standings, but currently Canada holds 10 gold and the USA 8. While the USA has many more minor medals and is atop the medal standings, Canada has conveniently decided to measure itself in gold medal performance only - and the fate of the mens hockey team may very well determine whether or not Canada can claim to be the champion Olympic nation at its own Games.

12:15pm on Sunday 28 February may very well be the most important moment in Canadian history.

Bars across Canada are packed for every ice hockey match

Ice Hockey fever in Canada is something that has to be seen to be believed. Already the minor matches have stopped the nation in its tracks and broken all TV viewing records, the collective excitement that will overrun the country on Sunday will be phenomenal.

That is not to diminish Canada's other victories and the jubilation they have created. Alexandre Bilodeau's drought breaking win in the mens moguls - the first Canadian gold on home soil in three Olympics (Montreal and Calgary produced no gold) - against one time Canadian, now Australian, Dale Begg-Smith had the nation on its feet. Ice dancing partners Tessa Virtue and Scott Muir are the Canada's new darlings - the beautiful 20 year old Virtue and her handsome 22 year old partner are personable and delightful and their gold medal has made them household names.

But it will be the ice hockey that defines these Games for Canada. A loss will tarnish the entire performance, a win will create a euphoria that can not be explained.

With just two days to go, the excitement is palpable and one thing is for sure. Whether Canada win or loose, anyone without a hockey fascination should get set for the nation to quite inconveniently grind to a halt in the afternoon of Sunday 28 February.

Words - Tess Cook

tags: olympic, feature, features, photo, photos, ice, hockey, champion, canada, usa, gold, medal

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