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WINTER OLYMPICS 2018
2018 Pyeongchang Olympic Games

The USA vs. Canada hockey game you didn't know about at the Olympics

Kevin Allen
USA TODAY
Athletes and officials from the Canadian and U.S. Olympic teams commemorate their ball hockey showdown on Friday at the Winter Olympics.

GANGNEUNG, Korea – Canada’s Olympic Committee earned bragging rights in the Canada vs. USA ball hockey showdown Friday, but it didn’t stop U.S. Olympic Committee spokesman Mark Jones from trying to have the last word.

He joked that the loss was a classic case of a team “coming out flat” after a big win.

"We were a little tired,” he said. “We celebrated a bit much after yesterday’s gold medal hockey game where the American women dominated in a shootout.”

The 5-3 Canadian win was the rematch of a 4-4 tie played four years ago at the Olympics in Sochi, Russia. The hope is this game becomes an Olympic tradition.

This year’s game was played on a side street in front of the Canada House, necessitating the need to halt the game every few minutes to allow cars to pass. The constant yelling of “car” seemed to add to the romance of the game.

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More:U.S women's hockey gold medal came in great Olympic game, made even greater statement

Because of the tight quarters, the playing style was organized mayhem.

"It’s chippy out there and the tension is high,” said U.S. Olympic speed skater Emery Lehman who played for the Americans.

Lehman scored two of the Americans' goals, including one on a sizzling penalty shot.

"He was the star of our team for sure,” Jones said. “He can definitely play.”

Lehman plays recreational ice hockey, and he said he played in this game “because this will be a good warm-up" for getting back into that sport when he returns home.

"I played competitively right up until the Sochi Games and then decided it wasn’t worth the risk of injuries,” Lehman said.

COC Chief Executive Officer Christopher Overholt played in the game and wore his jersey Wayne Gretzky-style – tucked into his pants on one side.

"We’ve have had a fabulous relationship with (the USOC) for as long as I’ve been involved, and I’m sure before,” Overholt said. “It has just grown closer and closer and this is just one of the ways we can relax a little bit.”

Overholt said USOC and COC people watched the women’s gold medal game together, and Jones was the first guy he hugged afterward. “As Mark said to me: 'That’s what the Olympics are about,'” Overholt recalled.

Gold medal-winning ice dancer Scott Moir, speed skater Gilmore Junio, luge medal winner Sam Edney all played for the COC.

The competition was real, but  the primary objective was to have fun.

Referee Sabastien Goulet, the PA announcer at Gangneung Arena, dramatically waved off an apparent Canadian goal after “consulting” with a Korean police officer who was stationed behind the net.

Goulet also called for a penalty shot in the third period that allowed for U.S. speed skater Erin Jackson, who had joined the game, to get a free shot at the goal.

Canadians chanted “Let’s go Canada” and Americans yelled “USA, USA, USA.” The Canadians, who seemed to have a football-sized roster, started the wave on their side and Americans finished it on their side of the street.

A Korean family opened their window to watch the game play out below.

Tongue-in-cheek, Overholt wasn’t accepting the American excuse that they lost because they were too tired from celebrating the women’s gold medal.

"You’ve got to answer the bell at the Olympic Games,” Overholt said. “You’ve got to get up in the morning and do it all over again. The Games aren’t over.”

 

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