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Oakville traveller searches for gold-medal game by Rukshan de Silva Special to the Beaver 5 | Wednesday, February 26, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Editor's Note: Rukshan de Silva is a 23-year-old University of Waterloo graduate from Oakville, who is currently backpacking across Germany, and shared his experience watching the Team Canada men's hockey gold-medal game in the town of Heidelberg, Germany. The blog entry can also be found at http://wanderingfeetphotography.blogspot.ca. O Canada, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014 I awoke early this morning filled with both excitement and fear. Excitement, because today was Canada's gold-medal game. Fear, because I wasn't sure if I would be able to watch it. Unfortunately, I haven't had the opportunity to follow Sochi 2014 too closely because I've been on the go in both Sri Lanka and Germany, with little time or access to a TV that broadcasts the Games. Nevertheless, this was the gold-medal game and it was my day's mission to find it... somewhere. The hostel receptionist chuckled and wished me luck. She didn't think that there would be a single pub in Heidelberg where I would be able to watch the Canadian game, particularly on a Sunday afternoon. But, it was a bright, sunny, winter's day that reminded me of home, so I had no reason to lose hope just yet. After deciding to stay a second night in the university town of Heidelberg, I went exploring in the Altstadt, known as `old town' in English. The medieval stone alleyways were picturesque, and I wandered through with slight hope that I might find a place to watch the game. The few people I asked on the streets didn't have much hope for me. inside today's Editorial Sports Beaver www.insideHALTON.com 6 Artscene 16 Classified 14 19 Real Estate Salvation Army Recycling Lowes Canada Sportclips Canada Premier Bathrooms Leon's Furniture Staples *All flyers not necessarily delivered to all homes For home delivery & customer service call 905-631-6095, 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington New subscriptions call 905-631-6095 or subscribe online @ www.oakvillebeaver.com my only chance as I would be on the train again early tomorrow morning to Rothenberg ob der Tauber. I really wanted to make it up to the top of Heiliggeistkirche, the most iconic cathedral in Heidelberg, and also hike up the Philosophenweg trail on northern hill face. One of the narrow streets past Marktplatz led me to the Alte Brücke bridge over the Neckar River. It was definitely the place to be -- all the locals seemed to be enjoying their Sunday afternoons alongside the water. I spotted a lively (for a Sunday) restaurant row tucked away by the river, and I had a really good feeling about it. There, outside a little pub called the Brass Monkey, stood a sign that read "13:00 Canada vs. Sweden." Jackpot. A sign at the Brass Monkey tavern in Heidelberg, GerI was so thrilled that I barely had the patience to many Sunday. | photo by Rukshan de Silva take a photo of the sign before sprinting inside. Second period was just beginning and, thanks The Altstadt is nestled along the Nectar River in to Toews, Canada was in the lead 1-0. First duty: a small valley between two rising hills. On the south hill is Schloss Heidelberg -- a order a beer. The game was being projected onto a large 13th century castle most definitely worth the steep climb. It is perched on the edge of the hill, and has screen in the corner of the pub, and I took a seat right in front of it. Apart from a couple stragglers, been overlooking the town since 1214. After wandering through the castle grounds and there were just two groups of people in the bar. Judging by the way they gasped when Sweden catching some great vistas over the town, I was back in the streets peeping into every pub and restaurant made a shot, and the way they held their breath just before Crosby's inevitable goal, I assumed they window , looking, without luck, for the game. I remembered where I was during the Canada-U.S. were cheering for Canada. Aaron from St. John's, N.L. was the only gold-medal game in 2010, and the joy I was overcome Canadian in the group behind me, and asked me with when Crosby scored that golden goal. It was nearing 1 p.m. and I still had a few things to join them. see Oakville on p.8 I wanted to check out in Heidelberg -- today was HEAR Your Loved Ones WINDOWS & DOORS The walls of your home are insulated with fiberglass and so should your windows. Fiberglass windows outlast all other windows. Beauty, Style, Colours and Quality. 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