Canada's hockey gold medal celebrated in Winnipeg

A number of Winnipeg barswere packed with hockey fans onSunday morning as people woke upearlyto watch Canada defeat Sweden in the Olympic men's final.

A total of 76 bars, cabarets, private clubs and cocktail loungesobtained permitsto openat 5 a.m. CT for the gold-medal match.

Most of those bars and eateries were full by the time the puck dropped at 6 a.m., including the Shark Club downtown and Brogue GastroPub on Pembina Highway.

"It's sort of like everyone's bachelor party or bachelorette party. Everyone's having such a good time and celebrating every goal," said Brogue bartender Chris Laubenstein.

When asked about the crowd's reaction to the game's first goal,Laubensteinreplied,"It was absolute chaos, it was fantastic. Pandemonium."

That first goal came from none other than Winnipeg native Jonathan Toews.

"For a Winnipeg boy to start the scoring for Team Canadaawesome!" exclaimedChris Campbell, while others around him cheered at the Shark Club.

With the majority of localfans cheering for Canada, some fans of Team Sweden said they felt a little outnumbered.

"Pretty intimidating," said Jar Swedenson. "I'm scared to show my real colours. I wore red to try and blend in."

About a dozen Swedish fans gathered at the Tavern United at Canad Inns Polo Park, with many expressing disappointment with the loss but while still being happy for Canada.

CBC reporters tweeted from venues around the city on Sunday morning. Check out their tweets, as well asgame updates from Sochi:

• ON MOBILE? Check out our updates here.