If you’re a hockey fan or have been to any major sporting event, you’ve probably experienced the odd sensation of bathroom lines exploding during halftime or breaks between periods. However, during one of the most iconic matchups in hockey history—the 2010 Winter Olympics gold medal game between the USA and Canada—this phenomenon reached unprecedented levels in Edmonton. The moment became a source of fascination for statisticians, water management experts, and hockey fans alike, as the synchronized flushing of toilets created what was humorously referred to as “That Giant Sucking Sound.”
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The Gold Medal Game: A Hockey Classic
The matchup between the United States and Canada in the 2010 Olympics was not just any hockey game. It was a highly anticipated showdown between two hockey giants, with Canada hosting the Olympics and fans worldwide tuning in for what turned out to be a thrilling conclusion to the games. This game went into overtime after a dramatic equalizer from the United States, raising the stakes even higher. The tension was palpable, and with every break in action—whether between periods or during intermissions—viewers rushed to relieve themselves, all at once.
Edmonton’s Unusual Water Usage Spike
As the game unfolded, an interesting phenomenon occurred in Edmonton. Epcor, the utility company responsible for providing water services to the city, noticed a dramatic spike in water usage at very specific intervals—coinciding exactly with the breaks between the periods of the hockey game. According to Epcor’s data, the mass flushing of toilets at the end of each period created an unusual surge in the city’s water system. The synchronized flushing was so significant that it caused measurable pressure drops in Edmonton’s water supply infrastructure.
This incident was captured in a now-famous graphic shared by Justin Wolfers on the Freakonomics blog, using data provided by Epcor. The graph visually depicted the water usage during the course of the gold medal game, showcasing dramatic spikes during intermissions and the final buzzer.
Why Does This Happen?
This phenomenon isn’t unique to hockey or Edmonton; it occurs in many cities and during various major events, particularly in sports. The “giant sucking sound” happens because large numbers of people in the same area are consuming and then using water facilities at precisely the same time. This leads to a synchronized demand for water, overwhelming the city’s water system momentarily. This can include everything from flushing toilets to using the sink and filling up water bottles. It’s essentially a mass, real-time reaction to high-tension moments when fans are glued to their seats for the majority of the game but rush to take care of business as soon as there’s a break in the action.
The Scale of the Surge
What made the 2010 Olympics game unique was its scale. With nearly the entire Canadian population glued to their screens and significant viewership across North America, the water usage spikes were magnified to incredible levels. In cities like Edmonton, which have large populations of hockey fans, the effect was even more pronounced. The combination of high stakes, national pride, and the extended nature of the game (with it going into overtime) contributed to an event where entire cities were collectively, albeit unknowingly, synchronizing their bathroom breaks.
The overtime period, which ended in an exhilarating victory for Canada with Sidney Crosby’s famous “Golden Goal,” was not just a triumph for Canadian hockey but also the perfect culmination of this water surge phenomenon. Once the goal was scored, the massive exhale of relief and joy was likely followed by another rush to the restroom, as fans finally felt the tension lift.
Managing the Phenomenon: Is It an Issue?
While this mass flushing might sound amusing, it raises legitimate questions about infrastructure resilience. Cities need to account for these types of events when planning water systems. In places like Edmonton, where hockey is deeply ingrained in the culture, there’s an increased likelihood that infrastructure will be tested during key sporting events.
Epcor and other utility companies closely monitor water usage during major events and are prepared for spikes like the one seen during the gold medal game. While the spike in water usage caused pressure drops, Edmonton’s system was able to handle the surge without any significant disruptions. Still, it serves as a reminder that cities need to ensure their infrastructure can accommodate these temporary but massive fluctuations in demand.
Conclusion: A Moment of Shared Hilarity
“That Giant Sucking Sound from Edmonton” isn’t just a funny anecdote from the 2010 Winter Olympics; it’s a testament to the power of sports to bring people together in more ways than one. This shared moment of collective relief (both figurative and literal) showcases how even the most mundane aspects of life—like using the bathroom—can become synchronized when national pride and high-stakes sports are involved.
For hockey fans in Edmonton, and across Canada, the gold medal game in 2010 will forever be remembered not just for Sidney Crosby’s game-winning goal but also for the mass flushing that made its mark on water utility graphs for years to come. Sports, after all, is about more than just the final score—it’s about the shared experiences that create lasting memories.
