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A look back at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics

Frederick • March 3rd, 2010 • Winter Olympics

The Olympic Cauldron

Two and a half weeks sure go by pretty quickly. The world had their eyes on the west coast of Canada as athletes from all walks of life competed in their respective winter sports. The streets of Vancouver were jam-packed with hundreds of thousands of fans cheering on their countries and taking in the sights and sounds of the various events throughout the city. So much happened in the 17 days the Winter Olympics that it’s almost impossible to go through it all, but here’s a portion of what made the list.

Highs

Joannie Rochette and her courage to overcome a tragic loss and capture the hearts of her home and the world
Sidney Crosby scoring the winning goal in overtime between Canada and the United States to take the gold medal
Ryan Miller helping his team beat all odds and prove they are a medal contender
Alexandre Bilodeau for ending the drought and his brother Frédéric for giving him the power to get there
Kim Yu-Na for delivering one hell of a performance
The Canadian women’s hockey team for their unstoppable play
The obnoxiously awesome pants worn by the Norwegian curlers
Lindsey Vonn for being the first American woman to win gold in downhill skiing (and with a bruised shin)
Having the mime electrician give Catriona Le May Doan the chance to light her portion of the Olympic Cauldron
Petra Majdič for continuing on despite painful injuries caused by an unfortunate fall
The awesome opening and closing ceremonies showcasing the real Canada (minus a small glitch)
The 14 gold medals Canada earned — our best ever and a record for the Winter Olympics
The hundreds of volunteers to help out and assist the many out of town guests
And the hundreds of thousands of supporters, visitors and fans who crammed downtown Vancouver and Whistler to deliver the best party this country has ever seen

Lows

The shocking loss of Nodar Kumaritashvili in an accident while training
El Niño for bringing unseasonable warmth and impacting a number of events on Cypress Mountain
The hooligans who had nothing better to do than showcase their idiocy for the world (fortunately for one day only)
The British media with their scathing criticisms on anything and everything
NBC for cutting short broadcasts of events, or skipping them entirely

As a resident of Metro Vancouver, I want to say a huge thank you to everyone for making this possible. We hope you enjoyed the games and our city, and would love to see you all back here again soon!

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Canada 3 – United States 2 OT

Frederick • February 28th, 2010 • Winter Olympics

A heated rivalry, Canada versus the United States, saw a very close and tight game with a nation’s bragging rights on the line. Canada overcame a strong American team to win 3 – 2 in overtime and claim the gold medal. The United States takes home the silver and Finland takes the bronze.

Jonathan Toews beat Ryan Miller to get Canada up by one and the country on it’s feet with the first goal in the game.

In the second, Corey Perry made it 2 – 0 for Canada. However, Ryan Kesler briefly touched a shot from Patrick Kane that beat Roberto Luongo to bring the United States within one.

Luongo came up big stopping some key shots and prompting his trademark “Luuuuuuuu” chant echo throughout the building. The Canadian penalty kill proved exceptional in holding the Americans after two of them sat in the box.

The third period saw Dany Heatley denied on two close chances on putting the puck in for Canada. Zach Parise scored with 25 seconds left in the third to tie the game and send it into overtime.

Canada came back and 7:40 into extra time, Sidney Crosby, on a pass from Jarome Iginla, beat Miller to win the gold medal and send the country into an uproarious cheer.

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Canada 3 – Slovakia 2

Frederick • February 26th, 2010 • Winter Olympics

Slovakia was expected to give Canada its greatest test before the gold medal game and hopes were riding high on the Canadians. With the entire nation being carried on the backs of the Canadian players, it was up to them to take out the Slovakian team after they upset the 2006 champions, Sweden in the previous game. Canada earned a close 3 – 2 win over Slovakia.

Patrick Marleau and Brendan Morrow gave Team Canada the advantage in the first period with them up by two over the Slovakians.

In the second period, Ryan Getzlaf padded Canada’s lead with a goal making it 3 – 0 for the home team.

However, the Slovakians were not ready to give up, scoring two goals in the third period, from Lubomir Visnovsky and Michal Handzus. Handzus’ goal came within the last five minutes making for an exciting end to the game.

Canada will face the United States on Sunday, February 28^th at 12:00 PM PST.

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Canada 2 – United States 0

Frederick • February 26th, 2010 • Winter Olympics

Congratulations to the Canadian Women’s hockey team on their hard earned gold medal. Marie-Philip Poulin scored the only two goals in the game, while goaltender Shannon Szabados stopped 29 shots for the shutout. Canada defeated the United States with a score of 2 – 0.

The Canadian Men’s team take on Slovakia tonight at 6:30 PM PST in the semifinals.

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Canada 7 – Russia 3

Frederick • February 24th, 2010 • Winter Olympics

A pumped up Canada coming off an 8-2 victory over Germany was looking forward to taking on Alexander Ovechkin and the Russians. Canada played a strong game with plenty of hits, but the Russians weren’t intimidated. The much anticipated Ovechkin-Crosby rivalry was pretty quiet as Canada skated away with a 7-3 win.

Ryan Getzlaf got Canada up on the board first with a goal, followed by Dan Boyle on the power play. 46 seconds later, Rick Nash came in and beat Evgeni Nabokov.
However, Dmitri Kalinin broke Canada’s 3-0 lead to get Russia into the game. Brendan Morrow scored with two minutes left in the period to make it 4-1 for the home team.

Corey Perry started off the second period with a goal followed by Shea Weber almost a minute later. However, Maxim Afinogenov got one by Roberto Luongo just 39 seconds after Weber’s shot.
Perry got his second of the night and Sergei Gonchar would score to bring Russia within four of Canada’s lead. After Canada’s peppering of Nabokov, Ilya Bryzgalov came out to take his place in net.

There was plenty of action in the third, including a great save by Luongo off Evgeni Malkin’s breakaway during Russia’s power play. While no goals were scored, the Russians applied pressure, but couldn’t break down Luongo.

Canada now heads to the semifinals and waits for the outcome of the game between Sweden and Slovakia.

Be sure to visit our 2010 coverage at www.nephrus.net/vancouver2010.

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Canada 8 – Germany 2

Frederick • February 23rd, 2010 • Winter Olympics

After Sunday’s upset by the United States, Team Canada was looking to fight back against Germany. This time, Roberto Luongo got the call to play in net for Canada, while Thomas Greiss guarded the pipes for Germany. Canada skated out of the qualifying round with an 8 – 2 win over Germany.

Joe Thornton got Canada started with his first goal of Olympics, off a shot from Dany Heatley and Duncan Keith, ten minutes into the first period.

In the second period, a shot by Shea Weber whistled through the net unnoticed by Greiss. After a brief discussion between the officials, Weber was awarded the goal. Jarome Iginla scored twice, with one on the power play to pad Canada’s 3-0 lead.

Rick Nash was hauled down on his way to the net and given a penalty shot. Sidney Crosby took the shot but couldn’t beat Greiss.

Marcel Goc finally was able to sneak the puck behind Luongo on a wrap-around to get Germany up on the board.

Crosby got the third period off to a good start for Canada with his third goal of the Olympics. Mike Richards then scored off a pass from Brendan Morrow and Jonathan Toews.

Captain Scott Niedermayer got the puck on a breakaway and made it 7-1 for the Canadians.

Rick Nash then took a pass from Chris Pronger and snapping it past Greiss for a goal.

Germany was not done yet, as Marcel Muller denied on the breakaway allowed Manuel Klinge to take the rebound from Luongo and a get a goal.

Canada meets up with Alexander Ovechkin and Team Russia in the quarterfinals at 4:30 PM PST, on Wednesday, February 24^th.

Be sure to visit our 2010 coverage at www.nephrus.net/vancouver2010.

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Canada 3 – United States 5

Frederick • February 21st, 2010 • Winter Olympics

There was no lack of support cheering on the Canadians as Canada Hockey Place was a sea of red and white, however the Americans had their support in goal in the form of Ryan Miller.

Just over 40 seconds into the first period, Brian Rafalski got Team USA on the score board after beating goaltender Martin Brodeur.

Eric Staal tied it up with a shot from Brent Seabrook, but the Americans fought back with Rafalski earning his second goal.

In the second period, Dany Heatley beat Miller to tie the game up at 2 each. However, Chris Drury made it 3 – 2 just as period came to a close.

Jamie Langenbrunner, with a shot from the white hot Rafalski, made it 4 – 2 and his team put the pressure on the Canadians to get back up. Sidney Crosby wouldn’t leave without a goal, and managed to bring the game within one during the dying minutes of the third. Ryan Kesler was able to tip the puck into the empty net to seal Team Canada’s fate with a 5 – 3 win.

The United States moves on to the quarter finals, while Canada plays Germany in the qualifications round at 4:30 PM PST on Tuesday, February 23^rd.

Be sure to visit our 2010 coverage at www.nephrus.net/vancouver2010.

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Canada 3 – Switzerland 2 SO

Frederick • February 18th, 2010 • Winter Olympics

The last time Canada and Switzerland met, it ended in a loss for the Canadians after being shutout 2 – 0 at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy. This evening, Canada and Switzerland faced each other again for payback and it was an incredibly close game, with the goaltenders making all the difference — Martin Brodeur for Canada and Jonas Hiller for the Swiss. Canada was able to come out on top and score 3 – 2 over Switzerland in the shootout.

Team Canada started off on a great first period with a goal from Dany Heatley and put pressure on Hiller. Patrick Marleau then cushioned Canada’s lead making it 2 – 0 early in the second. However, that goal came as a wake up for the Swiss and Ivo Ruthemann got the puck behind Brodeur to bring his team on the board. With seconds remaining on the clock, Patrick von Gunten tied the game 2 – 2 just as the period was about to end.

With no goals in the third, Canada and Switzerland put up a fight, but Brodeur and Hiller persevered and the game went into overtime. After overtime, it was on to the shootout where both goaltenders held their ground. With the first round of players used up, Sidney Crosby skated in for his second chance and was able to get one behind Hiller.

Hiller made a number of amazing saves, stopping 43 of 45 shots and was the key reason his team was able to stay in the game.

Canada plays the United States on Sunday, February 21^st at 4:40 PM PST

Be sure to visit our 2010 coverage at www.nephrus.net/vancouver2010.

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Alexandre Bilodeau breaks the curse

Frederick • February 14th, 2010 • Winter Olympics

After hosting two previous Olympics, Canada has never won gold at home, until today. Alexandre Bilodeau, took the gold medal in Men’s Moguls on Cypress Mountain after executing a difficult jump and coming in with a time of 26.75.

Dale Begg-Smith of Australia came in second with the silver and American Bryon Wilson will receive the bronze medal.

Be sure to visit our 2010 coverage at www.nephrus.net/vancouver2010.

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Cross Border Shopping Tips

Frederick • November 27th, 2009 • Travel

Canadian coins and American dollar bills

With the Canadian and US Dollar almost at parity and in today’s economy, deals south of the border are usually enticing. Before you head down, do a bit of research on where to find the best deal and how to make the trip easier.

Before leaving, check and see what the current exchange rate is. This is important as a difference of a few cents can mean a higher credit card bill. Sites like XE and Yahoo! Finance have up to the minute rates between currencies. However, not all financial institutions are quick to update their rates, so there may be some differences between the card issuer and actual market data.

Prior to hopping in your car, clean it out. This doesn’t mean wash the windows or vacuum the carpets, but to remove anything unnecessary from your vehicle such as gym bags, extra clothing, bottles and garbage. This is a preemptive suggestion in the event you’re flagged for additional screening (see below) and a subsequent vehicle search so that it goes by much more quickly.

Peace Arch Crossing

Crossing the border can be a lengthy process. US law requires all visitors to carry a passport, enhanced driver’s license, NEXUS/SENTRI/FAST card or visa based on your country of origin. Delays are common at border crossings. Fortunately, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) post their wait times as do the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for Canadian ports of entry. These two sites are instrumental helping you find the closest crossing with the shortest wait.

At the crossing, border officials will ask you standard questions before letting you enter. Have your passport ready when you pull up to the officer. If multiple people are in the vehicle, have all passports ready for the officer. Be truthful when responding to the officer and declare all items you have acquired outside of the country.

There are restrictions on how much can be brought back into Canada: if you’re out of the country for less than 24 hours, all items are not exempt from any duties or taxes (this includes alcohol and tobacco products). The CBSA lists what is admissible based on the duration of time spent out of the country.

Additionally, you may be selected for further questioning by officials. Follow their directions, answer truthfully, and remain calm. During this process, your vehicle may be searched. Any items that have not been declared may be taxed or confiscated.

Once across the border, you may find some stores do not accept Canadian debit cards. American debit cards usually have a Master Card or Visa logo on them whereas the Canadian ones do not. It’s best to bring cash or credit, although stores or malls close to the border will take the loonie (some retailers may not have the current rates and might charge more). Should you run out of cash, American ATMs will allow you to withdraw money using a Canadian debit card, but like at home, fees will apply.

When you’re finished shopping, keep all the receipts and a total amount of goods with you. Duties and taxes are based on how long you’ve been out of the country for and how much is being brought back in (see above). Don’t try to disguise purchases or hide them — they will be confiscated during a search.

If you follow these tips, you’ll have fun and pass through customs with little to no problem. Happy shopping!

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