Blackhawks part of big Olympics viewing audience

One out of three Americans watching television Sunday afternoon were tuned into the thrilling gold-medal hockey game between the Team USA and Canada.

Our neighbors to the north posted even more impressive percentages. Nearly half the Canadian population watched the entire game, and 80 percent tuned in for at least a portion.

Blackhawks players also were watching as teammates Jonathan Toews, Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith on the Canadian side and U.S.-born Patrick Kane battled it out.

A group of about a dozen players gathered at Joe's on Weed Street to take in the finale, and of course most of the players on hand watching Canada's 3-2 overtime victory were Canadian born.

But with Adam Burish there rooting on the American side, the U.S. was anything but underrepresented at the table.

"I told the guys I kind of look at Canada as America's little sister," Burish said. "We took them to overtime and scared our little sister. So she knows now if we want to come in there and take hockey from you, we'll take it from you if you're not careful.

"We took them to overtime, scared them and then gave them their toy back. Because at the end of the day, what does Canada have to be excited about? Hockey, beer, that's probably it."

When informed of what Burish had said, Hawks coach Joel Quenneville had to chuckle.

"I know one thing: they'll always have beer and they'll always have hockey," Quenneville said. "But that was a great game. It was a great advertisement for the game in all aspects."

His boss agreed.

"I think the NHL and the sport of hockey graduated to another level," Hawks president John McDonough told WSCR 670-AM.

And the Canadian-born players thoroughly enjoyed the ending as Sidney Crosby scored the game-winner in OT.

"When Crosby scored we were all high-fiving each other, all the Canadians, like we scored the goal, too," forward Kris Versteeg said. "But it was awesome to see the response from the U.S. fans in the bar. It was special.

"It had to be the best of all time. The biggest possible Canadian game in the history of Canada. It was a huge victory and something we'll all remember."

For Patrick Sharp, it wasn't all about the love of country.

"We were just cheering for a good game and hoping all the Blackhawks did well - and they all did - so it was lots of fun," Sharp said. "When the U.S. scored to tie it up, I nearly jumped out of my chair - and I'm Canadian."

And that's the country going home with the gold.

"Good for them," Burish said, "but I wish Kaner would've won the gold medal."

<p class="factboxheadblack">Blackhawks game day</p>

<p class="News">New York Islanders at Nassau Coliseum, 6 p.m. Tuesday</p>

<p class="News"><b>TV:</b> Comcast SportsNet</p>

<p class="News"><b>Radio:</b> WGN 720-AM</p>

<p class="News"><b>What to watch:</b> Antti Niemi makes his fifth straight start in goal looking to extend the Hawks' winning streak to five games. The Islanders come out of the Olympic break 13th in the Eastern Conference and 6 points out of a playoff spot. Hawks center John Madden (knee) is questionable.</p>

<p class="News"><b>Last season:</b> The Islanders beat the Hawks 4-2 in March at the United Center.</p>

<p class="News"><b>Next:</b> Edmonton Oilers at the United Center, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.</p>

<div class="infoBox">

<h1>More Coverage</h1>

<div class="infoBoxContent">

<div class="infoArea">

<h2>Stories</h2>

<ul class="links">

<li><a href="/story/?id=362823">Hawks' Olympians expected to have advantage<span class="date"> [3/2/10]</span></a></li>

</ul>

</div>

</div>

</div>