The night the laughter disappeared.
For Team USA, nothing describes four hours at Rexall Place last night any better.
The Sun gained exclusive behind the scenes access to the American foursome and national coach Ed Lukowich for the 1-2 playoff game.
6:18 P.M.
Nearly 15 minutes after arriving, the Americans are relaxed, cracking jokes.
On the team's pre-game ritual: "We usually split into small groups and make fun of each other," said lead Kevin Birr.
6:25 P.M.
Into the medical room for second Greg Johnson to get his left hand doctored. One blister was so bad from sweeping earlier in the week that some consideration was given to draining fluid from it.
That blister has come down on its own, but athletic trainer Brian McWilliams still tapes a thumb and puts two cushion pads on the hand before wrapping it.
"All they need to do is think about curling," said McWilliams on his job.
The U.S. is one of just a handful of teams - likely one of five - to bring along its own trainer.
Earlier in the day he gave 30-minute massages to Johnson and third Bill Todhunter, who is the second-oldest competitor at 47.
6:41 P.M.
Proving that stress isn't getting to him - although the team is about to play in front of the biggest crowd it has ever seen - Todhunter actually tosses his football to a fan in the crowd.
7:25 P.M.
Waiting behind the bagpipers to march onto the ice, Kevin Birr is hoping for a little foreshadowing.
"We want to keep it tight and have a game-winning shot (in the 10th end)," he said.
8:44 P.M.
Costly mistake No. 1: skip Todd Birr sails his first shot through the rings.
"Oh my goodness," said Lukowich.
8:46 P.M.
Costly mistake No. 2: Todd Birr sails his second rock - and the last stone of the fourth end - right through the house.
It's the first time this year Lukowich has seen his skip miss back-to-back shots like that.
Canada 3 - U.S. 0
9:07 P.M.
Lukowich doesn't want his team to take any sort of gamble - take the one point and go to the fifth-end break at 3-1.
Instead, ice-cold Todd Birr wants to roll the dice, trying a difficult raise to score two.
Wrong move. He actually bumps a Canadian stone to be shot rock. Canada 4 - U.S. 0
9:26 P.M.
Send out the search party. Todd Birr launches another rock through the rings.
"He'll have to find (his draw weight) where he left it," stated Lukowich, before adding, "sometimes winning streaks have a funny way of coming to an end."
There is nothing funny about this if you're an American.
9:48 P.M.
Misfire No. 4: Todd Birr fails to make contact on a Canadian stone to leave Howard a draw for three in the seventh.
Canada 7 - U.S. 1.
9:53 P.M.
"You don't happen to have an eight ender in your bag?" Lukowich asked this scribe.
9:54 P.M.
Much to Lukowich's displeasure, the Americans give up - firing their rocks quickly down the ice to officially end the misery in the eighth end.
"I don't like it," he remarked.
"If we happen to get a three ender here it is not over - for sure."
10:03 P.M.
In the scene that says it all, Kevin Birr quietly takes a picture with his disposable camera of 12 media members swarming Howard after the game. Kevin Birr then bows down to Howard.
