Alison Redford, the premier of Alberta, announced that bars will be allowed to serve alcohol at 5:00 a.m. Sunday for Canada's gold medal matchup against Sweden, thus allowing fans to watch the national game the way it was intended: loaded and listening to Bush's "Machinehead" on repeat on the jukebox.
The Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission confirmed licensed establishments in the province are authorized to serve and open at 5 a.m. and will not need to apply for a special licence.
"We appreciate the outpouring of enthusiasm of Albertans who want to gather to watch the game on Sunday and will support licensees to serve liquor when the puck drops," said AGLC CEO and president Bill Robinson in a release.
However, AGLC says all licensees will continue to be expected to offer service in a "socially responsible way to ensure the safety of their patrons."
Bars will actually have to close for the three hours between the normal closing time of 2:00 a.m. and the early 5:00 a.m. opening, so get your after/pregame party plans settled ASAP.
Alberta bars can serve alcohol at 5 a.m. for Olympic men's hockey game [CBC]