USA beats Canada in Ice Hockey; Canadians "Darn Ticked Off Aboot It You Betcha', Friend"

As the final seconds ticked off the clock at last night's USA v Canada hockey match, Canadians took to the streets of Vancouver to riot, Canuck-style. They raided Pizza Pizza's and Tim Hortons, tipping over stools, leaving crumpled napkins on tabletops, taking pennies from the "leave one, take one" bowls, and crossing the streets at non-crosswalk points. One fan angrily placed an empty coffee cup on the roof of a nearby car before storming away to rejoin the riot. Another poured out a Labatt Blue that was only half-drank and then placed the bottle in a non-recycling trash can. It was total chaos.

The Canadian psyche was dealt a massive blow as the USA beat Canada in Olympic competition for the first time in over 50 years. The 5-3 victory was iced on a last minute poke-in on Canada's empty net as the home team tried to get an equaliser with six skaters on the ice. It was the first time the two teams have met since the 2002 Olympics where Canada won 5-2. This US team however was almost completely new, with Brian Rafalski being the only real veteran from previous US national teams. Fresh-faced newbies fill out the US roster to a large extent.

It was a back-and-forth affair with the US going ahead first only to have Canada tie them up as they repeatedly exchanged goals. At 4-3 in the third period, it wasn't until 44 seconds left that the Americans were able to put the nail in the coffin with Ryan Kessler's empty netter. Tempers flared in the aftermath with team Canada's Dany Heatley telling Brian Rafalski, "Hey, I'm not your friend, guy!" to which Rafalski replied, "I'm not your guy, buddy!"

The US hockey team is the youngest at the 2010 games. They had worked to overhaul the team by replacing old standbys like Keith Tkachuk, Mike Modano, and Bill Guerin. Now rife with kids in their 20s, team USA looks poised to have a good route through to the medal podium. It was a fitting victory for a US team that had donned 1960 throwback jerseys to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the gold medal won at Squaw Valley. It was also the day before the 30th anniversary of the 1980 Miracle on Ice over the Russians.

No word on whether the local Tim Hortons and Pizza Pizza's will be able to open on time the day after the violent rioting. Extra staff will be brought in to upright stools, pick up trash, and guide old women across the street. Also no word on if Dany Heatly will ever again be my buddy, friend.