Vancouver (AFP) – A red-clad sea of supporters created an electric atmosphere for Canada’s Olympic team of National Hockey League stars in their long-awaited Vancouver Games opener against Norway on Tuesday.
A devoted crowd of 16,700 spectators, stand-ins for the millions of people watching on television around this hockey-mad nation, chanted “Let’s Go Canada” with passion just as every mistake by their heroes brought a moan of concern.
“We’re the envy of all our friends,” said Steve Johnson of Toronto. “It’s all of us coming together for a common purpose. We’re just all behind this team so much. It’s so much fun for us all.”
With faces painted red and white, tattoos and wild red wigs, it was a crimson coming together of screamers who had dreamed of being in such seats since Vancouver was awarded the Games seven years ago.
Flags waved with every Canadian goal and such signs as “Canada Losing? No way” and “Bring on the Gold” were proudly held high, even after the hosts battled through a scoreless first period against the Norwegians.
A collection of multi-millionaire superstars needed time to find their rhythm against a Norwgian team whose captain, Tommy Jakobsen, makes a living renting out apartments.
Norway’s lone NHL player, defender Ole Kristian Tollefsen, was out because of a family illness. When horn-helmeted Norway fans were shown on the huge videoscreen hanging from the roof above centre ice, they were lustfully booed.
In contrast, whenever Canadian goaltender Roberto Luongo would make a great save, fans would scream “Luuuu” at the star netminder of the Vancouver Canucks.
NHL all-time scoring leader Wayne Gretzky was shown on the huge scoreboard video-screen and drew loud applause. The Canadian legend humbly smiled and waved during the stoppage in play.
As at NHL games, pauses in play saw the videoboard become a “Kiss-Cam”, with cameras around the arena encouraging seat neighbors to kiss each other, risking the crowd’s wrath when they didn’t kiss during the break-in-play amusement.
One inspired couple of Canadian supporters engaged in a liplock in front of the cameras without any extra encouragement, sparking a cheer.
“It’s magical,” said Jessica Johnson, a Canada flag tattoo on her left cheek. “Everyone is going around with tattoos and flags.
“It’s just swelling pride. You want them to do well. It’s an honour to be here and who knows if you will ever have the chance again.”
She left a women’s snowboard event early before the finish so she could be on time for the game, missing a Canadian gold medal up at Cypress.
“What are you going to do?” she said. “No one wanted to miss the game.”
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