Millions of Canadian tuned in on February 25th (2010), as Marie-Philippe Poulin kicked off her incredible stretch of big goals in big games, scoring twice, while Shannon Szabados held the fort at the other end, Team Canada blanking the United States 2-0 in the Olympic gold medal final.

Sudbury native Tessa Bonhomme need not have tuned in. She was there first hand, a teammate of Rebecca Johnston and the remaining women who donned the maple leaf with such pride, defending gold on home turf.

Surprisingly, perhaps, Bonhomme has never, in the twelve years since then, replayed the game via video. “I think the way that people experience something is what makes their story,” said the 36 year old mother of two, who gave birth to daughter Annie just two days after Christmas Day - 2022 (along with husband Eddie Fiore, Bonhomme is also parenting an 18-month old son, Theo).

“I liked the emotions that I felt in that game, I liked the way I saw everything, I loved the way I experienced the crowd, I loved the post-game celebration. I don’t want to go back and change the way that I feel.”

Who can blame her?

The support of largely Canadian crowds grew exponentially over the course of the two-weeks of the Games, reaching a frenzied crescendo as both the men’s and women’s home teams advanced to the championship finals.

“What I remember most about the game itself was the warmups - and I know that sounds so stupid,” said Bonhomme with a laugh. “Warmups are typically something that only people like my dad (Doug) go to - but he’s a scout. Maybe the eager beavers get settled in - but you never expect it to be a moment that you remember.”

“I stepped out on the ice (for the gold medal warmup) and was completely overwhelmed,” she added. “There was a massive amount of people already in their seats and people were freaking out when we stepped out for warmups.”

Making her one and only Olympic appearance, Bonhomme would find comfort, stretching alongside a veteran of two previous gold medal encounters. “I knew that it was ok to feel overwhelmed because Jayna (Hefford) felt the same and she had been to several Olympics.”

To be sure, the memories are not confined to just that one classic battle.

She and the remainder of Team Canada would realize just how big a deal their accomplishments could be, listening, across the bay, as the entire city of Vancouver erupted with joy the moment freestyle skier Alex Bilodeau captured gold on the moguls days earlier.

Bonhomme would score her first ever Olympic goal on her father’s birthday. She would greet family at the Games: uncles, parents, aunts, a sister, a cousin and a grandmother. “It was so cool to share that moment with them.”

That family theme was front and centre, once again, as she shared her favourite post-game moments. “There was a presentation for us at Hockey Canada House, with many five thousand people there,” Bonhomme recalled.

“I hadn’t seen my dad after the game. I’m watching the crowd part ways and I see my sister, who is all of five feet tall, holding my dad’s hand and barging her way to the stage. I jumped off, met them part way and put my medal around his neck and had a good cry.”

“It was one of my happiest days ever. That’s what we had worked so hard for - and finally got it.”

If family tops the list when it comes to the nuances of her Olympic memories, teammates are not far behind, given the bond that is formed. “It’s special and unique,” said Bonhomme. “Not to take anything away from any of the friendships I have with anyone else, but you are going into battle with these ladies and you experience a lot.”

All of which has prepared her, she hopes, for tackling the challenge that is parenthood, guiding her own offspring towards the creation of countless memories of their own.

“I want to do exactly what my parents did,” said Bonhomme. “Whatever my kids are into, I just want to help expose them to it as much as possible and help them enjoy and flourish in it as much as they can, similar to what my parents did for me.”

“I’m intrigued in seeing what these two little firecrackers have in store for us.”

And in good time, Tessa Bonhomme may yet expose both Theo and Annie to a videotaped copy of the 2010 Olympic Women’s Hockey final - whether she is there, sitting next to them watching, or not.