Hockey fans looking to celebrate a victory or drown in their sorrows after the epic Canada-U.S. game Sunday afternoon might want to stock up on booze before the game starts.

Vancouver police announced late Saturday that they have requested the province shut down liquor stores in the downtown area at 2 p.m. Sunday.

For the past two weekends, police have asked the province to order early liquor store closures, but this is the first time they have requested closures this early in the day.

Vancouver police spokeswoman Const. Jana McGuinness said the early closures are necessary to curb the open consumption of alcohol.

"With the largest crowds to date predicted to take in the Canada-USA gold medal hockey game in the downtown core, police will be closely monitoring the celebrations and enforcing liquor laws," McGuinness said.

Police have said the full force of the department will be out on Sunday to ensure crowds behave.