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Of all the gold medals Canada won at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, this one shined the brightest.

Sidney Crosby scored in overtime to help Canada's men's hockey team win gold over the USA, 3-2.  Canada was so close to winning it in regulation, but Zach Parise scored for the USA with just 24 seconds left in the third period to force the sudden-death overtime.  However, Crosby's winner 7:40 into the extra frame brought Canada a gold medal, and sent hockey fans in Vancouver and all over Canada into a frenzy.  The other goals came from Jonathon Toews and Corey Perry, with Roberto Luongo making 34 saves in his home rink.

 

Aneroid's Patrick Marleau represented the southwest on Canada's team.  He had five points, including two goals throughout the tournament.  He joins Shaunavon's Hayley Wickenheiser, who also won gold in women's hockey on Thursday.


This caps off what has been the best Winter Games ever for Canada, who won a record 26 medals, including 14 gold.  The number of gold medals is the most ever won by Canada, the most gold medals won at the 2010 games,  the most gold won by a host country at the Winter Olympics, and the most gold won by a single country at a Winter Olympics, beating the old record of 13, which was set by the former USSR in Innsbruck 1976.

 

The games officially ended with the closing ceremonies last night, with figure skater Joannie Rochette carrying the flag into BC Place Stadium for a star-studded, Canadiana-rich event.

All eyes are now on Sochi, Russia, who will host the next winter games in four years' time.