MILAN-CORTINA – The men’s USA Olympic Hockey Team is facing our neighbors to the north, Canada, for the Gold Medal match this morning (Sunday). The US Women’s team has already captured a gold medal, and the men are seeking to do the same when the puck drops at 8:10 a.m. Governor Hochul, in light of an impending blizzard, is suspending liquor laws to allow bars, pubs, and other establishments to open early for fans to enjoy an adult beverage while watching one of the most anticipated hockey games of the last decade.
The Americans are seeking their first Olympic gold in men’s hockey since the “Miracle on Ice” team in 1980 engineered one of the most memorable upsets in sports history. The Americans have fallen short in two gold-medal matches since then, losing to nine-time Olympic champion Canada in 2002 and again in 2010.
“I have directed the State Liquor Authority to suspend enforcement with respect to alcohol service hours tomorrow (today) between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., allowing bars and restaurants to open early so U.S. hockey fans can gather to watch the Olympic gold medal game.”
Not ignoring the potential blizzard conditions, Governor Hochul set some restrictions. “This will apply only in areas not under a State of Emergency, as our top priority remains keeping people in communities impacted by the blizzard safe and off the roads.”
While many hockey fans in New York will take advantage of the rare occasion, residents of Columbia, Greene, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester Counties will not have the opportunity to cheer with beer at local pubs. The aforementioned counties are part of the State of Emergency issued by Hochul on Saturday.
“I still remember watching the 1980 game as a college student at Syracuse University, working in a pizza shop,” Hochul said. “The whole place stopped and watched together. I hope a new generation of New Yorkers gets that same moment tomorrow. Go U.S.A.!”