For Canadians, there is only one game that counts. When our national team wins, our country is in triumph. When it loses, they're bereaved.
Phil Esposito who captained our team in 1972 and led the defeat of the ignominious Russians is a hero celebrated more than any prime minister or military leader.
The great names of hockey in the corner of Yonge and Front in downtown Toronto.
On any given day, streams of people all dressed in the hockey shirts of their favourite teams wait in awed silence in anticipation of the epiphany of entrance.
Inside, the pictures of heroes adorn the walls, sticks, pucks and uniforms of the great are niched as in a cathedral.
On occasion, the holy tabernacle, the Stanley Cup, is displayed adorned with the names of the winning teams over the decades and all the players. Hockey is not just our national sport. It is the definition of our country and with missionary zeal, we take pride in its spread to Europe and our southern neighbour.
We don't dye our beards green after a visit to the Hall of Fame but the memento purchased in the store next door is a lifelong treasure to be handed down to future generations.
Paul Henderson leaping in triumph after scoring the winning goal to beat Russia and reclaim hockey as the game of our nation.
"The Next Shift is Ours." The faces of anticipation cast in bronze in front of the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Amazing artwork, thanks for sharing.