Why watch Team Canada in the World Junior Championship game on TV, when you could watch it LIVE and in person?
That is what a trio of Wallaceburg men thought Thursday morning before heading out for the eight hour drive to Montreal.
Justin Durston, Jamie Knight and Bronson Bea made the long trip to Quebec, and despite the heartbreaking 5-4 shootout loss by the Canadian squad to the Americans, all three said it was an unreal experience.
Durston said the crowd was loud for the majority of the game, especially after Canada scored the first few go ahead goals.
“I’ve never been a part of a crowd that loud before,” Durston told the Sydenham Current.
“It was a last minute decision to go to the game, but I’d make that decision again. The game was a big roller coaster ride, and the shoot-out loss crashed our party, but getting to be a part of that crowd and in that atmosphere… it was an experience of a lifetime.”
Knight said it was a very emotional crowd.
“I’m kind of surprised and disappointed that it didn’t sell out,” he said.
“Best eight hour drive of my life to watch our boys battle, tough way to lose.”
Bea said the fans were buzzing around the arena before the game.
“Everyone was pumped for the USA vs. Canada show down,” he said.
“We went up two early and the arena went nuts… the seats were shaking and everyone was going crazy. Not for a moment did the Canadian fans let down the boys. We cheered and cheered all game long, even in the intense moments of overtime and the crazy shootout. It was a great game even though they lost, it was an unreal experience.”
Here is some more coverage of the tournament:
