The medal, the last to be awarded of these Games, ensured Canada ended the Games with more golds than any country had won before.

Crosby got the winning goal 7min 40sec into the over-time period at Canada Hockey Place, taking a pass from Jarome Iginla and sliding a shot under the pads of US goaltender Ryan Miller.

Jonathan Toews and Corey Perry had earlier given Canada a 2-0 lead before the US fought back, equalising with just 24 seconds left in regulation time.

Crosby said: 'It doesn't feel real.

"It feels like a dream.

"It just feels like dream."

Afterwards, major downtown streets in Vancouver, Toronto and other cities across Canada were jammed by fans celebrating.

Crowds chanted the national anthem '"O Canada" and '"Sid the Kid" after Crosby - considered Canada's greatest player since Wayne Gretzky - scored the winner.



There were major traffic disruptions inn Toronto, as thousands of revellers thronged the famed Yonge Street - the largest street in the world - in the heart of Canada's biggest city.

Crosby said: "I did dream about it [scoring the winning goal]-- probably a thousand times.

"But you never know if it's going to come true.

"You never know if you’re going to be in this position.

"And that's the thing.

"You get in these situations and you never know when they're going to come again.

"The Olympics are only once every four years – you don't get a crack at them every year.

"And it's a once-in-a-lifetime chance to play here in Canada."

The Americans could not hide their disappointment but still their silver was the 37th medal won by the US at these Games, also the most by any country at any Winter Olympics.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
February 2010: Canada praying for historic ice hockey victory in Vancouver
February 2009: Canadian skating victory helps restore home team's confidence