Canadian bars set to open very early for Olympic gold medal game

Hockey fans across Canada will be afforded the opportunity to enjoy Sunday's Olympic hockey gold medal game against Sweden with an adult beverage in hand, despite the fact the game will be played early in the morning local time.

In Toronto, city council voted to allow bars to open early for the remainder of the Olympics, and local watering holes can serve alcohol as early as 6 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Further West, the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission has afforded bars that apply the ability to start serving drinks at 5 a.m. CST, one hour before game time. In Saskatchewan, the liquor and gaming authority has given nine bars in Saskatoon and Regina permission to serve as soon as the puck drops (6 a.m. CST).

And finally, the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission says it will allow all licensees to serve liquor as soon as the game between Canada and Sweden begins at 5 a.m. MST.

"The Olympic games have, once again, captured Canadians' imaginations," Dave Chomiak, the minister responsible for regulating liquor in Manitoba, said (via ctvnews.ca). "It will be an exciting event for hockey fans and we want to give them an opportunity to gather and watch it and cheer on the nation's team."

This news serves as further evidence that in Canada, hockey and beer go together like peanut butter and jam, and many across the country are hoping it proves to be another golden combination.