B.C. bars going for gold, allowed to stay open for final Olympic hockey match

VANCOUVER – British Columbia hockey fans will be able to celebrate a Canadian Olympic hockey victory or drown their Olympic hockey tears — as long as they don’t drink alcohol while doing it.

B.C. Attorney General Suzanne Anton says bars and pubs in the westernmost province will be allowed to extend their hours for the early-morning men’s gold medal game in Sochi.

The match-up takes place at 4 a.m. Pacific time on Sunday when, under regular rules, the establishments would be shuttered.

But the provincial government says it will make an exception to the rules in the spirit of the Olympic Games.

Bars and pubs will be allowed to stay open so patrons can watch the game, but last call will remain the same.

In B.C., liquor can’t be served until 9 a.m. at the earliest and unconsumed drinks must be cleared within a half hour of the end of service.