Last month’s Hockey Canada Cup event, held at GM place in Vancouver, was the first test of the top four teams in the world. Finland, Sweden, Canada and the U.S.A. all met at GM Place for the season’s first tournament. It was a great opportunity for all the countries to meet and play in the Olympic Venue prior to the games this February. Well the timing (late August) was not the most ideal for all the teams to be in peak form, and we did not play at the other Olympic venue (UBC), I think it was a good first event.
From a performance perspective, it was a disappointing loss for Canada. We played a bit fragmented and choppy in the first game against the U.S. In the final, despite outshooting them, we dropped a tough loss, 2-1. The U.S. came to the event with their Olympic team selected and played their top lineups throughout. Canada still has 26 players, so five selections to get to the Olympic roster of 21. Despite the disappointing loss, and it was hard to lose in front of 8500 great Canadian fans, I liked how we competed in the final game. I also like our roster moving forward as many of our young players have made some great improvements, making the coaching decisions that much tougher.
These Olympic years are always difficult in that it’s a delicate balance of building a team, yet allowing players the time to develop and grow, knowing that they may, in the end, be a better player but just need time to do so. When I look at the rosters of Finland and Sweden, I see similar things. Both countries are young and inexperienced, but both have great potential and are well organized. The Finns came to the tournament with a new coach and style of play.
They attempted almost a 1-1-1-2 forecheck in the offensive zone and played aggressive all over the ice. It seemed to help them in their first game as they upset the U.S. The Swedes tried different defensive zone coverage, straying away from the 1-on-1 coverage to a man down box behind structure. It was good to see a different look from these two countries and also proved to the skeptics that on any given day in the women’s game, any of the top countries can win.
Coming out of the Hockey Canada Cup event, we are set to start our 60-game season heading into the Games in February. This gives Canada lots of time to play and prepare. We also take valuable information away from the Hockey Canada Cup, knowing our strengths and weaknesses and knowing that we have to bring our best game. When I think of the Olympics and winning gold, I don’t think of it as having to win the gold medal, I approach it more about playing great hockey. Moving forward, it’s about deliberate practice and preparation, being able to play freely and creatively under the greatest pressure and expectations and trusting in each other as a team. It’s such an exciting time and it feels great to get up every day with a goal and destination in mind and to know we will represent Canada in Canada. |