In this photo: Sidney Crosby, Scott Niedermayer, Drew Doughty & Team USA

OK, Canada won the men’s hocky gold.  Phew.  I mean, I am seriously glad they did.  I’m as patriotic a Canadian as anyone (well, maybe not ANYONE), and I’m happy for all our athletes who competed.  But one thing I seemed to notice throughout these Olympics is that I may have been the Canadian hocky jinx.

It seemed like every time I watched a men’s hockey game they started to stink up the joint.  Granted, I didn’t watch all that much (see, maybe I’m actually not that patriotic).  I was watching as we gently stepped aside for the USA, though.  And while I was pretty sure Martin Brodeur wasn’t think ing “Eh, that Karl Lehmann is watching I think.  Maybe now we let some goals in.” it was certainly a performance that seemed below the level of expectation.

But I thought I’d chance it again.  Canada faced Slovakia in the semi final and I put the game on with about 10 minutes left and was pleased to see that Canada was up 3-0.  No offense to the Slovaks, but we had underperformed in the tournament and I figured it was nice to see us back to playing the hockey we should be playing.  Of course in those 10 minutes Slovakia managed to score twice, seriously making me consider turning the TV off out of duty to my country.

And then was today’s gold medal final.  Canada vs USA.  This is the big one.  And of course I did not get to see the entire game due to some other engagements.  I got home during the 3rd period of a game so big my wife actually had it on the TV already.  You may not know her, but trust me, that’s a big hockey game.  And Canada had a 2-1 lead.  I debated not watching.  No joke.  But selfishly I went ahead.  I didn’t want to be the only person in the country who didn’t see the end of that game.  And Zach Parise mad me pay for my hubris.  With 25 damned seconds left.  Tie game, going to overtime.  What was I thinking?  WHat right did I have to watch that game, denying my countrymen the hockey gold they so desired?

Of course the result is in the books now.  Sid the Kid took care of things in overtime, and I can relax again.  Hey it’ll be another four years before I can screw things up so bad.  Until then, I’ll try to avoid cheering for your team.

- Karl