Here's Some Local Olympic Cuteness Before Today's Big Hockey Game

By Lisa White in News on Feb 21, 2014 4:00PM

The big Olympic hockey matchup between Team USA and Team Canada is about to happen this morning and we’re sure one classroom in Chicagoland will be cheering on from afar.

Christy Biggs, a second grade teacher at Chesak Elementary School in Lake in the Hills, tweeted some team spirit and well wishes to Patrick Kane on behalf of her class as part of a McDonald’s-sponsored “Cheers to Sochi” campaign, the Daily Herald reports.

Gibbs was certainly surprised when McDonald’s representatives contacted her, asking if her students would like a personal message from Kane as a thank you. On Wednesday, Gibbs and her students received a personalized video greeting from Kane, thanking the students for cheering him on and sharing his hopes of bringing home the gold. McDonald’s also delivered hockey sticks for each student autographed by Kane, Olympic jackets, an Olympic mascot toy and McDonald’s gift card, Huffington Post reports.

NBC Chicago spoke to the excited students about the message from Kane and adorable kid moments ensued:

Kane and the rest of Team USA will face off against Team Canada, the defending Olympic champions, at 11 a.m. for a spot in the gold medal game against Sweden. If you’re a hockey fan and didn’t call in sick or have a screen to watch it on at work, might we suggest taking a “doctor appointment” or long and early lunch to head to the Empty Bottle and watch the game. They’ll be opening early to serve up drinks, brunch and to “cheer on our boys in Sochi.” In typical EB humor, this will also be a fundraiser for their bar manager Blake, who “could not care less about this game or any other sports event, cause he needs money to see Skinny Puppy at The Vic.” We like your honesty, Blake. Just chant along “U-S-A” with everyone else and you’ll have that ticket money in no time.