In a few short hours, two great female hockey teams will face off in their most highly anticipated game of the year.

These opponents just played each other recently and there is certainly no love lost between the two clubs.

The 1st period of the gold-medal game between Canada and the US at the Women’s World Hockey Championship just ended.

But…that’s not the game that I am talking about.

The Leaside Wildcats Atom team that I help coach is playing in the Ontario Provincial championships later this morning and I can assure you that these girls are just as excited and nervous about their upcoming game against the Whitby Wolves as the National team girls are right now.

Although this afternoon’s game will not be played on the world stage, it is still the biggest game these girls have played all season.

They may have had trouble sleeping last night due to their excitement.

They will be having their usual pre-game meals in a hour or so.

Once they arrive at the rink, they will go through their usual off-ice warm-up and start to get focused and energized for their biggest game of the season.

The team has built up to this game all season and their anticipation is huge.

The team’s preparation for this provincial championship game is fundamentally the same as what the ‘big’ team is doing on the world stage. The ’size’ of the game to all of these girls & women is really relative.

The 2nd period is starting so I am off to watch the ‘big’ team play…but I will be even more excited to watch my ‘little’ team later this afternoon.

Until next time,

Kim