TORONTO -- Eric Staal had a hard time taking off his Olympic gold medal Monday.
It wasn't that the Carolina Hurricanes captain was showing off. It's just that everywhere he turned he was asked to pull it out and put it on - for TV interviews, for photos, for his teammates and coaches - and he even had his own two-man security detail at the Canes' team hotel.
Not that Staal minded. It was his dream to help win Olympic gold for Canada in the Vancouver Winter Games, to win on home soil, to make his family and his country proud.
Proud? Canada experienced sea-to-sea pandemonium Sunday afternoon after Sidney Crosby's overtime goal beat the U.S. team.
"They say it's a pound and a half," Staal said, smiling and handling the medal. "I don't know about that."
In truth, it does feel heavier. It has quite a bit of weight, much like the added pressure the Canadians felt to win gold.
Imagine being a half-minute away from victory, only to have the U.S. tie the score with 24.4 seconds left on Zach Parise's goal. There could have been much doom and gloom in the Canadian locker room during the break before overtime.
Not so, though, Staal said.
"After they scored and we went to the dressing room, I remember thinking there was no way we were going to lose," he said. "I had such a strong feeling that we were going to win the game.
"Sometimes, you don't always feel that way. You can get rattled and frustrated. But I had a feeling we were going to get it done. I was really confident, and I think a lot of the guys in our room felt the same way."
Canada coach Mike Babcock was all business, Staal said. No rah-rah, inspirational stuff. Just straight talk about breakouts and face offs and who would be on the ice.
"It was pretty calm," Staal said. "Everyone was relaxed, going through their routines, getting ready. I remember saying, 'It's just going to feel that much better in overtime.' A few others said the same thing."
The winning goal came in a flash. A Jarome Iginla pass off the boards, a quick shot by Crosby, U.S. goaltender Ryan Miller staring in disbelief as the puck went through his pads.
At 7:40 of overtime, it was over. Canada 3, United States 2.
"An incredible experience," Staal said. "It's a special memory for me. It's a team that will be remembered for as long as I live, for sure."
Talk about a party. Once the gold medals had been handed out, once the Canadian flag had been raised and "O Canada" sung, Team Canada had a rollicking team celebration.
The Canadian women drew the scorn of the International Olympic Committee for taking champagne, beer and cigars back onto the ice after beating the U.S. for the gold. The men went behind closed doors.
"We had champagne and a few beers but strictly kept it to the dressing room," Staal said, laughing.
Staal said he was able to speak with Canes teammate Tim Gleason for a few minutes after the game. Gleason's glum expression when the defenseman received his silver medal summed up the disposition of Team USA after such a tough loss.
On Monday, the two were together again, sharing a flight to Toronto. It's back to business for the Hurricanes, who visit the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight and will be gunning for a sixth straight win as the season resumes.
After such an emotional experience, could Staal have a tough time gearing it back up for a regular-season game?
"I don't think so. I think I'll be able to get right back into it," he said.
It could be interesting to see who's in the Hurricanes' lineup with Staal given the trade speculation and with the NHL trade deadline looming Wednesday. All was quiet Monday on the Canes' side, but things can change quickly.
Carolina traded veterans Matt Cullen and Niclas Wallin before the Olympic break, and more moves are expected in the next two days.
"It's definitely not easy, but I think we've been hearing those rumors for a while," forward Sergei Samsonov said of the uncertainty.
Coach Paul Maurice said forwards Erik Cole, Chad LaRose and Scott Walker should be ready to get back into the lineup today after recovering from injuries. Cole has missed the past 31 games with an upper-body injury and was cleared for contact on Sunday.
Staal noted he was been away from all the trade talk the past two weeks but that he must deal with it now.
"We'll see," Staal said. "Obviously, it's tough, but we'll continue to play and work. I'm just excited to see everybody."
And show them the gold.
