It was on this day in 2002 that the Canadian men’s ice hockey team won a gold medal at the Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Canada beat the USA by a score of 5-2 in the finals to capture their first Olympic gold medal in men’s ice hockey in 50 years.

Assistant captain Joe Sakic was named the tournament MVP, finishing third in scoring with 7 points (4 goals, 3 assists).  Sakic did his best work in the finals, burying two goals and setting up another two for a total of four points.  “Burnaby Joe” scored the eventual game-winner to break a 2-2 tie with a laser of a wrist shot, which beat Mike Richter late in the second period.

They would score two more from there and listen to the Canadian fans in attendance sing “O Canada” as the final seconds ticked off the clock.

Here is a clip of the game’s highlights.

Notable Birthdays

Jeff Garcia, NFL – Born February 24th 1970 (age 41) in Gilroy, California

Alexei Kovalev, NHL – Born February 24th 1973 (age 38) in Tolyatti, Russia

Floyd Mayweather Jr., Boxer – Born February 24th 1977 (age 34) in Grand Rapids, Michigan