During the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, bars were full of cheering fans during Canadian hockey games.

Recreating that same excitement during the Sochi Olympics won’t be easy, but several local pubs are giving it their best shot.

The Donnelly Group’s Vancouver pubs will be opening bright and early at 8 a.m. much of the rest of this week, so fans can watch Canada’s men’s hockey team face off live in Sochi. Participating pubs in Vancouver include the Lamplighter, Library Square, the Academic, Metropole, Blackbird and other Donnelly Group pubs across the city.

And, in case you’re wondering, you can get your first beer with breakfast at 9 a.m., when the games start and the pubs will begin serving alcohol.  Specials vary from location to location but include a $1 breakfast wrap and $3.75 Baileys and coffee at the Metropole and brunch and $5 Caesar specials elsewhere.

Donnelly’s pubs opened their doors at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13, so fans could watch Canada’s men’s team face off against Norway.  On Friday, Feb. 14, they’ll also be opening at 8 a.m. as Canada takes on Austria.  And on Sunday, Feb. 16, they’ll open at 8 a.m. as Canada battles Finland.

The lineup and schedule for next week’s quarter- and semi-final men’s hockey rounds won’t be finalized until after this weekend’s action. When (not if!) Canada advances, the pubs will almost certainly be open for fans who want to watch the games live.

The gold medal game, however, may present a bit of a challenge.  It’s scheduled to air live on Sunday, Feb. 23, at 4 a.m. Vancouver time – which means either one heck of a late night for hockey fans or one heck of an early morning.  Either way, the Donnelly Group is looking at ways to be open for the final, according to the Vancouver Sun.

Know of other bars and pubs that plan to open early for Olympic hockey? Let me know.