Canadians on Pennsylvania Avenue cheer Olympic hockey win over U.S.

Fans in Canada House cheer Canada’s 3-2 gold medal ice hockey victory over the USA Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010 at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games. In one country, it’s a relatively popular niche sport with a passionate following. In the other, it’s an identity-shaping national obsession depicted on the $5 bill. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Scott Gardner

The Canadian Press

WASHINGTON - A boisterous round of cheers erupted near the White House as Canada eliminated the U.S. men’s hockey team at the Olympics.

The cheers came from the Canadian embassy, just down Pennsylvania Avenue.

For the second day in a row, the embassy hosted a hockey-watching party.

And, for the second straight day, the Canadians cheered while the American guests offered polite congratulations.

Ambassador Gary Doer was among the revellers — and he happily invited the crowd back for Sunday’s Olympic final against Sweden “and a gold medal.”

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who had a beer bet going with the U.S. president, also got into the act on Twitter: “Like I said, #teamusa is good but #wearewinter. @BarackObama, I look forward to my two cases of beer.”