With the 2010 winter Olympics just around the corner, the ice is getting hot! Tuesday, rivals Canada and the United States played in the first of three exhibition games. The game ended poorly for the US in a 6-2 loss. The US captain, Natalie Darwitz said:
“It doesn’t feel good not winning. There’s a confidence issue and confidence factor that goes into winning, team-wise and individual-wise. It would be nice to win one of [the next two] games, but at the same time, it’s a process. The end of February is when it counts the most.”
Meanwhile, Canada is celebrating a win and their star player, Jayna Hefford. Jayna has has compiled a team-leading 27 goals and 25 assists in 32 games against international and domestic competition since the team began preparing in August. Coaches and teammates alike are thankful for the “peaking” of Jayna’s athleticism in time for the Olympics.
“I think game in and game out, she’s been our best player,” said Canadian linemate Caroline Ouellette. “She works really hard on the ice and off the ice. She’s really fit. She’s not the biggest player, but she’s so tough.”