On 'Super Sunday,' hockey is Canada's game

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) In downtown Vancouver, one church is opening its doors for fans to watch Olympic hockey. It's an indication of how close the sport is to religion in this country.

Canada's game against the United States is, for hockey fans wearing the maple leaf, the most highly anticipated faceoff of these games so far.

Sunday's matchup repeats the 2002 gold medal game, won by Canada in Salt Lake City, and is a chance for the home nation's Olympic team to redeem itself after a disastrous seventh-place finish at the 2006 Turin Games.

Most importantly, it's an opportunity for Canada to better their bigger, brasher neighbors to the south.

"It's a national pride thing," said Tyler Irving, a 30-year-old man who traveled to Vancouver from the Canadian city of Vernon, about 450 kilometers (275 miles) away, to watch the game. "Sure, the Russians and Swedes and all that are good, but the rivalry is always us and the U.S."

On a day dubbed "Super Sunday," it's not the only grudge being revisited. Russia defeated the Czech Republic 4-2, a rivalry which runs deep in both hockey and history. And Sweden faces Finland, their neighbors and the team the Swedes beat for a gold medal four years ago.

Gordon Willett and his family had to settle for tickets to that game. But that didn't stop him from wearing a blue USA jersey - an inky spot in a sea of red and white - as he walked through the city with his family.

"It's as if there are two twin brothers that love each other, but grew up trying to beat each other in the friendliest way possible," said Willett, in Vancouver from across the border in Washington. "Every nation, every person, feels they have something that makes you. And I think (for Canada) that's hockey."

Not all Canadians love hockey all the time, but the chance to win an Olympic medal - and defeat the U.S. doing it - has a special attraction.

"I don't really watch hockey," said Cory Bonter, who lives outside Vancouver but had come watch the game with friends. "This is the only time I watch hockey."

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