OTTAWA — The look across Caroline Ouellette's face was utter shock. "We wanted to be proud of our effort and we don't have that feeling...

MONTREAL - Slapping a Canadian Maple Leaf on your backpack when travelling abroad may have its perks, but Craig Klinkhoff has found an even better way...

For whatever, reason, Canadians and hockey fans have tended to direct their glare at the players. They misguidedly view their occasional idiocy and always-present lack of financial knowledge with blame. With all due respect to Canadians, our values of socialism and unity are flawed. At least, in this case.

Canada is a hockey nation and always will be a hockey nation. But we are a big country with a lot more going on. While hockey is in the penalty box, perhaps it's time to embrace our winners already at the podium. As a country we punch way above our weight in the arts. This weekend the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards celebrates its 20th anniversary as the nation's highest honour for our most notable artists.

A local Canadian association has banned bodychecking from hockey and some kid is feeling cheated. Come on, guys. You're not helping your sons (or daughters) with this initiative. You're only trapping them by stripping the game they love of one of its most essential assets.

As an umpteenth-generation Canadian, sadly unmoved by our "national game," I wonder what is this magical power seemingly unique to organized sports that boosts both patriotism and endorphins when our team is winning, and despair when it's not?