After Canada’s win in the 4 Nations final Thursday night, a North Bay, Ont., man chose a very Canadian way to celebrate: he painted the snowbank in front of his house.
Following Connor McDavid’s heroic overtime goal, Terry Siblock wrote ‘3-2’ on a snowbank in red spray paint and mounted a large Canadian flag on top of the score for good measure.
Siblock said when McDavid scored in overtime, his wife burst into tears. He felt emotional at the same time.
“It was just great,” he said, while choked up.
He said the win comes at a time of rejuvenated national pride sparked by “unacceptable” comments by U.S. President Donald Trump to make Canada the 51st state, along with repeated threats of tariffs on the northern country.
“We didn’t (start) this battle … Mr. Trump did,” Siblock told CTV News.
“He wants to turn, I think, Canada into Ukraine, like Russia is.”
Siblock was a transport truck driver for 33 years and spent five years serving with the Canadian Merchant Navy and has travelled all over the world.
“This is the best country in the world, no doubt,” he said, getting emotional.
“We have our hospital bills paid for. Do you ever get that in the United States?”
Siblock said he’s heard non-stop honking from cars and trucks driving by his snowbank display.
After a flurry of overtime saves by goaltender Jordan Binnington, Canada won the game when forward Mitch Marner got the puck to McDavid in front of the net, who snapped it into the top of the net.
“Just to see the reaction. Just to know what it means to us,” McDavid said after the win.
“I know it’s just a quick tournament, and it’s not an Olympic gold medal or anything like that, but it means the world to our group, as you can see.”
Siblock is encouraging his countrymen to display their Canadian pride in any way they can.
“This is a free country,” he said.
“This is definitely the best country in the world.”
