It is not every day Lethbridge plays host to Olympic athletes. However, that was the case earlier this month as the National Women’s Hockey Team was in our city to match up against the Y’s Men ‘AAA’ Midget Hurricanes.
Team Canada is gearing up for the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver. As always in our nation, there are huge expectations for our hockey teams. These ladies are well aware that excellence is expected, not just hoped for. However, this side has shown in the past it can handle the pressure, taking home gold in both 2002 and 2006.
In a unique endeavor, the National Women’s Team is playing 30 games versus Alberta Midget Hockey League sides to prep for the Olympics. This is something Team Canada has done before. What is new is the first game of two against the NWT counts for the AMHL teams in the standings. In order to give the midget clubs greater motivation, and thus a greater challenge for Team Canada.
As it turned out, the contest here in the city was a huge success for the Y’s Men, as the squad pulled out a 4-3 victory over their opponents at Henderson Arena. The locals outshot Team Canada 37-24, with Max Moline, Alex Elliot, Dillon Houghton and Jovi Fabbri all rippling the mesh. Brady Rouleau earned the win between the pipes. And even though it is early on, the ‘Canes handed Team Canada their first loss in the series. A nice boost for the Y’s Men, as it was the team’s first two points in AMHL play.
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As for the National Women’s Team, it is in the midst of a relentless schedule. It has over 50 games slated before the start of the Olympic tournament in February. Before the date in Lethbridge, the team was in Medicine Hat the night before. Just a few days earlier, the Red and White were in Victoria, coming up with a huge victory in an exhibition tilt over the United States Women’s team.
The NWT is making its home base in Calgary, so one may think all this travel is onerous. However, talking to some players before their game here in the city, and they were enthusiastic about living out of a suitcase for a while.
Perhaps the biggest reason is the side gets to connect with fans throughout the country leading up to the games. Let’s face it: we’re all very proud of anyone who wears the maple leaf. The NWT is seeing first hand, in the different cities and towns it skates in, Canada is fully backing them as they attempt a “golden three-peat.”
While this tour is great for getting the National Women’s Team ready, it will also help the coaching staff make some very difficult decisions. At the moment 26 women are on the squad’s centralized roster. However, only 21 will represent Canada at the games. At some point, 5 hopefuls will realize they will have come up just short of their goal.
It is a case where Hockey Canada is trying to build a team, while certain players are trying to make it. There is an opportunity for some to put individual goals ahead of what is best for the squad.
These next few months will shape the National Women’s Team into what we all hope is another golden moment. All we can hope for next February in Vancouver is that neither the US or Sweden come up with a Y’s Men Hurricanes-like effort.
If you missed out on the Team Canada/Y’s Men Hurricanes game, well you have another shot. The two sides will play once again: Friday, December 18th slated for Henderson Arena.
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