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Olympic hockey turned Regina into an early-morning watch party on Thursday, as fans packed into sports bars for Canada’s first men’s game of the Winter Games in Italy.
At Boston Pizza on Star Lite Street in Regina, tables were booked ahead of a 9:40 a.m. puck drop on Feb. 12. Caesars and coffees filled tables and those sitting at them sported jerseys instead of office wear.
For bartender Addison White, it marked the earliest opening she’d seen in more than a year working at the restaurant – which usually doesn’t open its doors before 11 a.m.
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“It’s the first day we’ve been open this early,” White said. “I like it. It’s a really nice opportunity for people to come in.”
White started as a host at 17, then became a server and, at 19, a bartender. She said the atmosphere on Thursday felt different from a typical shift.
“The energy is definitely here,” she said. “I can feel it for sure. I think everyone’s feeling the energy of the game.”
The early opening was made possible after the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority allowed bars and restaurants to apply for extended morning hours during the Olympics to accommodate live broadcasts, given the time difference.
Fans said it was an easy decision to show up early.
One Regina fan described gathering with family to watch on the big screen as the “Canadian dream,” saying there’s nothing better than cheering on Team Canada together. Another said the atmosphere reminded him of 2002, when Olympic hockey packed local bars shoulder-to-shoulder. He added that Canada appeared to improve each period and looked poised to contend with top rivals like Sweden and the United States.
Whether it was beer, coffee coloured with Baileys Irish Cream or just water, fans said they were there for one reason – hockey.
White said opening early wasn’t just about business.
“I think what we’re hoping for is to provide a comfortable experience for everyone to be able to watch the game and enjoy some good food,” she said. “We’re here for the game, and we’re here for the love of the game.”
Sask. Polytechnic campuses join in on Olympic spirit
The Olympic buzz wasn’t limited to bars.
Across Saskatchewan, student lounges at all four Saskatchewan Polytechnic campuses – in Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert and Moose Jaw – have been transformed into Olympic viewing hubs.
Instead of laptops being the main focus of students, big screens are broadcasting the Winter Games events live. The lounges also host competitions where students can win gift cards.
“We thought, this is a really good opportunity to kind of celebrate or be involved in the spirit of Olympics,” said Rosby James, president of the Saskatchewan Polytechnic Students’ Association.
She said Canada’s men’s hockey games were especially popular among students balancing classes and coursework.
James added that students appreciated having the broadcasts available during their study days, giving them a chance to share in the Olympic moment without missing out due to their studies.
With Canada’s first game now in the books, fans and students across the province are already looking ahead to the next puck drop.
