Oh, Canada

Usually when you see the Canadian national anthem, it's O, Canada. We've seen it rephrased as Woe, Canada after the Canadian men's hockey team dropped a 5-3 decision to the United States.

Now, it might be scripted as Oh, Canada. You might want to throw a parenthetical expression after it, like (What was going through your heads?).

If you're not aware of my reference here, although I'm sure many of you are, I'm referring to the celebration conducted by the members of the Canadian women's hockey team that transpired after the medal ceremony in which they received the gold. A celebration that started in their locker room spilled over (literally) onto the ice. As you can see from the pic to the left, there is champagne involved and there are other pics of beer being consumed and cigars being smoked.

The IOC has begun an investigation into the event. The IOC's executive director of the Olympic Games, Gilbert Felli, is not pleased with the display.

"If that's the case, that is not good. It is not what we want to see," he said. "I don't think it's a good promotion of sport values. If they celebrate in the changing room, that's one thing, but not in public.

"We will investigate what happened. We will talk to the federation and the NOC. We will first find the facts and then act accordingly," he said.

Hockey Canada has also issued an apology in light of the celebratory actions of the team.

I wanted to get the pulse on how people were reacting to this. As you can imagine, the opinions are divided depending on where your rooting interest lies. Americans are pretty much outraged and Canadians are telling people to back off. Their team won, so deal with it.

I am, however, intrigued as to what the Canadians and the rest of the world be saying if the situations were switched. The USA won the gold on their own ice and proceeded to act in a similar fashion. I guarantee the opinions would be flipped and the outrage would be even greater.

Some are calling for expulsion of the team for the remainder of the Games and even stripping them of the gold medal. Expulsion is being viewed as too harsh and stripping the gold really is. Canada won the game. It's not like short track speedskating where your finish first, but your result could lie in the hands of a judge (and then get a DQ as happened to South Korea).

But would expulsion be the correct avenue to take? Possibly, but I think that decision could overshadow the remainder of the Games. That brings up an interesting twist.

A few posts I read were even comparing this to the Scotty Lago situation. If you're doing that, stop. Stop it now. There's no comparison except that each were celebrating a medal. That's where it needs to end.

Just like in real estate, it's all about location, location, location. Lago's celebration occurred at a non-Olympic venue. This happened at a venue. I will say this in what you may consider an extremely weak defense. With the exception of media and family, the venue was empty. I will also add that reports state that only 14 players "participated" in the on-ice escapades.

Regarding Lago's exit, he didn't want to leave, but the United States Ski and Snowboard Association pressured Lago into the decision. They thought it would be good for Lago to "get out of the limelight a little" according to Lago.

I have no problem in celebrating a victory. On that note, I do know there is such a thing as celebrating with class. Not observed here.

I was blindsided by a headline on a website that referred to Lago as a disgrace for his actions. If Lago is a disgrace (and I do not think that), then what label attaches itself to the Canadian women's hockey team?

You can view me as an American just spouting off because of the loss. I respond by saying this. I was taught long ago by an elementary teacher that there are poor losers, but also, poor winners.

Thank you, Mrs. Boyer.