LOONEY’S TUNE IS A MUCH, MUCH HAPPIER ONE AFTER BIG VICTORY

There was a day Shelley Looney always liked to call “the worst of my life.”

A hockey player from Trenton, Mich., she played against Canada in a 1997 world championship game. The U.S. lost, in overtime.

And, during the game, blocking a shot, Looney broke her jaw.

Three days later, she had facial and knee surgery, on the same day.

But the 25-year-old Northeastern University student has overcome a lot in her life, including dyslexia.

And in the Olympic gold medal game, Looney’s goal in the third period virtually gave the United States the game. It put her team ahead, 2-0. Canada scored, five minutes later, so the goal was important.

“As bad as that day was,” Looney said of last year’s pain, “this is a hundred times better.”

AND EVERYONE THOUGHT THEY DID IT FOR GLORY

For those who inquired, yes, our women’s hockey players do get money for winning a gold medal.

Each player receives from the U.S. Olympic Committee a bonus of $15,000.