VANCOUVER — The gold medal Roberto Luongo earned on home soil is on display at GM Place this weekend.
So, at long last, is the Canucks goaltender.
It’s been two weeks since Sidney Crosby saved the country’s day by scoring the OT winner to give Team Canada a 3-2 victory over the arch-rival Americans on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon.
It’s a moment Luongo won’t soon forget.
Nobody will let him. Luongo was welcomed by a thunderous ovation before the puck was dropped Saturday night against the Senators in the Canucks’ first home game since the Olympics.
The goal-medal moment is still, and will always remain, special.
“You definitely still enjoy it. Everywhere you go, people congratulate you and every day I probably answer questions about the Olympics,” said Luongo. “In a way, it’s still there and you still enjoy it.
“The only thing I found a little bit sad that after the game was over (on that golden Sunday), a few hours later everybody was kind of going their own way already because they had to go back (to their own teams). That’s not a big deal because I’m sure we’ll have other occasions to celebrate.”
Luongo appreciates the accolades from Canadians.
“People are very happy. Anytime I’ve met somebody, whether it’s in the street or in the rink, it’s unbelievable the joy of that gold brings,” said Luongo. “We all wanted it really bad and we were really satisfied to be able to get the job done.
“I had a great time for the two weeks. The fact it was in Vancouver made it more special for me. To win the gold medal in overtime like that was one of the best feelings you can have.”
Luongo was well respected before the Olympic heroics, but nobody in the goaltending position has been more scrutinized.
The Canucks were happy to see their captain bring home the gold, proving he had what it took in the clutch.
“There was a lot of pressure on him and there was a lot of pressure on that position. It was in his hometown and I think he relished the opportunity to be the go-to guy, and when they did give him the job, he did what he had to do,” said Canucks coach Alain Vigneault.
“For him, and our team, as far as him understanding that type of environment, that type of pressure, it’s got to make him better. He’s the foundation of our team. He’s a great example as far as work ethic, the way he prepares, that’s why we named him captain. He just knows what to do and when to do it.”
Luongo is now back in the grind of the NHL schedule. The goal is not only to ensure the Canucks make the playoffs, they’re shooting for the Northwest Division title and home-ice advantage in the playoffs.
The chase for a Stanley Cup is in full gear. Luongo isn’t worried about fatigue.
“It’s easier that we won (the gold). If we hadn’t won, I think it would have been harder to come back (to the NHL),” he said. “When you’re winning, you find a way to stay energized for some reason.”
