The World Cup of Hockey
Did the United States Really Win?
Sacred Heart School of Halifax
Halifax, Nova Scotia

By Leah (grade 8)

On Saturday night, September 14, Hockey Night in Canada broadcasted the World Cup. All over the country, families gathered around the television to watch the best in the world battle it out and to watch the legendary Don Cherry argue with Ron McLean. Most of all however, they gathered to watch Canada play the United States.

When the N.H.L. (National Hockey League) started, it consisted of six great teams. The Boston Bruins, Chicago Black Hawks, New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadians, and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Hockey is, and was always, Canada's sport. It is the kids down the street making an ice rink in winter and playing ball hockey in the middle of the street in the summer, occasionally stopping the game to let a car go by.

Now, with the introduction of all these new American teams and the deterioration of two great Canadian teams, The Winnipeg Jets who are now the Phoenix Coyotes, and the Quebec Nordiques who are now the Colorado Avalanche, the main question I'm asking myself is this. Instead of a Canadian sport, is hockey turning into a marketing game, wide open to Americanization? Will it soon to turn into something similar to leagues such as the N.B.A. and the N.F.L.; that are basically totally American?

It was time for Canada to take back our sport and the only way to do this, was to win the World Cup of Hockey. The game started and, for those very unfortunate hockey lovers, Brett Hull, a Canadian, scored two goals for the States! Eventually, the States won the game five to two against Canada, the nation of hockey. Of course, after the win the Canadians had to make excuses for losing. The main one, with which I find myself agreeing, is Brett Hull, born and raised Canadian, playing for the United States against his own country! I suppose Canadians could stand this if he hadn't scored at least five goals in the best two out of three series.

That leads right back to the question, was that the final takeover of our sport, the final effect of Americanization? Or will we be able to hold on longer, to save our heritage, our country, and our sport? Is Canada's national sport becoming ENDANGERED?.