Goodbye Olympics

The Amazing Flame

Well, the Olympics have come and gone, with the world getting to enjoy an amazing 17-day run in Vancouver. I must say that my focus was a little more on fun than blogging, so look for a few recaps over the next couple days. But in the meantime, stay classy Vancouver!

J. Twice

USA cruises in quarterfinals

Swiss slapshot! Low seats in the 3rd period gave me this amazing vantage point!

The American men's hockey team continued their strong run through the Olympic hockey tournament with an exciting 2-0 victory of Switzerland on Wednesday. I was lucky enough to secure a last minute ticket (scalper - $50) and thus caught the action live from GM Place! (Quarterfinal tickets were pre-sold without knowing who was playing in what game, so with Canada facing Russia later in the day, suddenly tickets were abundant.)

Chasing down the puck

The "upstart Americans" came into the game fresh off their 5-3 preliminary over the Canadians, and have the easiest path into the Gold Medal game. However it is the Olympics, and even the overmatched Swiss, boasting only 2 NHL players, came ready to play. There were no goals in the first two periods, despite a number of chances. Swiss goalie Jonas Hiller was spectacular, saving 42 of 43 shots on the day, and even got a little help from the horn at the end of the 2nd period when US Forward Ryan Keller's shot went into the net with 0.00 seconds remaining. A video replay confirmed the shot was after the horn, and the Americans were forced to come out strong in the 3rd and final period.

US Goalie Ryan Miller has been the player of the tournament so far.

Like the US team, my friend Dale and I looked to increase our own energy in the game during the last period - sneaking down to the 3rd row behind the US goal. This gave us the perfect vantage point to snap off action pictures and feel the energy of the game. It was an amazing atmosphere, and the Americans broke the scoreless tie with a goal from New Jersey Devil forward Zach Parise 2 minutes into the final period. The Swiss fought back hard, but in the end the US was too much and advanced 2-0 into the semi's.

Go USA!

Taking pictures of hockey was incredibly fun, and I vowed during the game that I need to be a photographer at London 2012!

Attacking the net!

~ J. Twice

Own the... Bacon?

Perhaps the reason why Canada hasn't completely "Owned the Podium." It's not just about the bacon!


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USA - Canada

Here's a running account of taking in the USA - Canada hockey game live from hockey universe headquarters, Vancouver. Or a I described it on m facebook, a battle between a country who doesn't care about hokey with the one who does more than anything.

3:45 pm - before leaving my hotel I don my team USA hat. I refrain from calling it a toque. There will be no canadian lingo today.

4:01 - I bounce through Yaletown as a sea of canadians in red and white walk past. I thank my lucky stars that this passive country shares nothing in common with my favorite soccer club, Chelsea. If so I could expect to be pummeled for my hat.

4:05 - I arrive outside Yaletown brewery, a cool hangout that resembles my local joint, The Ram, back home. They are charging a $20 cover for the bar so I sneak in. How American.

4:18 - I finish my count and realize I'm outnumbered 735 to 4. I give the other Americans a nod (a California couple and their son) and order a wheat beer for courage.

4:24 - the tv shows the finish to the women's speed skating. Canada has the favorite. The crowd goes wild. Free thundersticks create a deafening noise. Canada gets silver. The crowd sighs. Business as usual.

4:25 - hefeweizen #2

4:34 - Just minutes before the puck drops, text messages roll in. Jake wonders if my house is divided. Chris reminds me of the $100 bet we made under the influence of other hefeweizen. The tension grows.

4:39 - a non-descript 50 year old jumps on a table and reminds the crowd "6 minutes! 6 minutes!" I must be in Canada.

4:45 - You gotta love Canada. No pre-game fireworks. No lazer light shows or starting line-ups. The coverage begins just moments before the game starts with just a quick "welcome to GM Place" and the game starts. Here we go.

4:46 - Just :43 seconds into the game, the US scores!!! I laugh and remind Chris that at this rate the final will be 60 - 0. The crowd is stunned.

4:57 - Hefe #3 served. Feeling courageous.

5:00 - Canada scores! Shiezah! Maybe it won't be that easy. Randoms chest bump.

5:01 - USA answers :21 sec later! I love it!!! 2-1 USA. Now I'm chest bumping.

5:05 to 6:17 - the teams trade goals but the US continues to lead 3-2. I begin to see the canadians lose their spirit as they trade quips and talks about, "If only Gretzky was here!"

6:25 - Nervous, I switch to captain Morgan and am rewarded by a huge US goal! 4-2 red, white, and blue. The canadians play loud music (ironically about hockey) to stay motivated and say things like, "dat US goalie is standing on his head, eh."

6:48 - Crosby lucky goal... 4-3 Usa with two minutes to play. The crowd erupts as if they're offering free kokanee.

6:55 - Canada attacks furiously and pulls their goalie. I respond with chants of, "Overrated!" I feel like I'm in the duke student section. USA clinches empty goal 5-3! Woot woot!!!!!!! Let the chants begin!!!

Good times!


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Vancouver Images #1

Vancouver Skyline

Here's a few more images from yesterday!

Girls dancing on Granville Island

~ J. Twice

Vancouver Skyline

So people were bugging me that I should do some Vancouver photography, and last night was absolutely perfect, so I cruised over to Stanley Park to get this shot of the skyline. What a beautiful city!

J. Twice

Lizard on a stick

You find the darndest things in Chinatown...

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