Canadians Rout Finland in Olympic Hockey

Megan Agosta scores the final goal of Monday's game between the Canadian Olympic women's hockey team, and Team Finland, shooting Canada into a gold medal tournament on Thursday, against Team USA.

The Olympic women's hockey team lived up to the hype on Monday night, by beating out Finland with a final 5 - 0 win. We knew they were good, but it was confirmed within the opening moments of the tournament.

The scoring opened in the first period when Cherie Piper popped it in the net, with an assist by Megan Agosta. She would come back later to make her mark. Haley Irwin made two further goals in the game. Goalie Shannon Szabados guarded the net from the Finn's frantic shooting in the final period of the game. Agosta snagged the last shot in the second period. By now the Finns were sweating bullets. It looked like many were already defeated.

In the final minutes of the game, Canadian pride swept the arena. Thousands of flags were waved in the stands, while the collective crowd broke out in a rousing rendition of Oh Canada! Canada Hockey Place boomed with thunderous applause and the roar of the crowd was deafening! Never had I experienced such a rush of adrenaline during a hockey game! Go Team Canada!

At the end of the final period, the horn announced the final second. The entire arena swept to their feet, in thunderous applause. In that moment I was proud to not only be Canadian, but proud of my fellow sisters of this glorious land.

Women's hockey was initially introduced at the 1998 Turin Olympics. Many thought it was a temporary event, but a devoted and large crowd of fans proved them wrong, boosting women's hockey onwards.

During Monday's game we were left wondering if Finland was even playing that night, or were they texting for hockey tips on the ice? Of course anyone you asked would say that of course, Canada would win the game. Hockey is as natural to Canadians as Timmys is to an office worker.

The only weakness in the women's team seemed to be their lack lustre performance during power plays. Hopefully they take full advantage of their few days of rest, to work on strengthening their team when placed on tenterhooks.

After the chaos when the final horn sounded, many people hung around the stadium congratulating each other and basking in a winner's glow. It was fantastic watching men as enthusiastic about the women's teams as I am.

Craig and Betty Johnson from Calgary, Alberta excitedly told me, "We've got to see if we can get tickets for Thursday's game. It will be the highlight of the Olympic games for us. Women's hockey will become as popular as men's hockey over the next few years."

There was only one way out through the crush of hockey lovers. I assumed full defensive pose getting through the doors. Out in the open air, it was a relief to breathe the fresh clean air of Vancouver City.

Both American and Canadian teams cruised to a sweet victory, but we shall see who rises above the frantic puck battle on Thursday. I'll personally be watching Megan Agosta sweep us to a gold medal!