15 Pacific Pilsners later

Vancouver Canucks Jersey

So, I’ve only been in Vancouver two weeks, but already I know I’m going to miss football, or as the Canadians call it ‘EPL / Soccer’.  The Tigers!  Still above relegation, just.  The same buzzy atmosphere is created here with the game of ice hockey.  Although guys with sticks skating about hitting a puck never caught on in England, its a defining cultural sport in Canada.  I learned how big hockey was last Wednesday when I was walking through Gastown and noticed the city was awash with people wearing Vancouver Canucks hockey shirts and cars driving round with Canucks flags a-mast.  Even the local buses had their electric route signs alternating between GO CANUCKS GO! and ROUTE 20 DOWNTOWN.  It was as if Vancouver had gone to war and a blue, green and white army had embarked on the city.  I had to find out what was going on.. so I called my Canadian buddy Jamie who said “dude it’s The Game tonight!”  The Vancouver Canucks are in the playoffs, and the city is going fanatic.  Keen to get in on the action, I told him to call me for the next game. 
 

Pacific Pilsner

So last night Jamie invited me round to watch ‘The Game’.   Armed with a case of Pacific Pilsner; 15 Cans for $20, we head to Jaime’s mate’s condo in Yaletown.  The Vancouver Canucks were playing St. Louis in the playoffs; Round 1 Game 4.  The winner of the playoffs wins the Stanley Cup – a 7ft Giant Silver Cup.  With no idea of what was going on I soon got into it, a high tempo game of three 20 minute periods.  In each interval we played PS3 NHL Hockey, I’d never played before and I was crap.  After the three periods the Canucks were drawing 2 – 2, so the ‘Football’ Golden Goal rules came into play.  Another 20 minutes of overtime passed and with 19 seconds on the clock: SWEEEEP, Canucks Scored!  There was an uproar in the City and from the 20th floor Yaletown condo we heard car horns and a constant roar which carried on long after the game. 15 Pacific Pilsners later Jaime and I began our walk home, High-fiving passer-bys.  There was an awesome buzz in the city!  Comparable to when Hull City were in the play-offs for the Premiership.  Still non-the-wiser of the rules of Hockey but I’m hooked, and looking forward to Round 2!