Arrived in Halifax on Saturday, 19 February. Bus ride was fun, Women's Hockey and Synchronized Swimming sharing the motor coach. Lots of laughers, some sleepers. Group sing song to Justin Beiber as we pulled into the hotel.
Our team was reunited when we arrived, as our four players who are away were already at the hotel.
That afternoon as the girls had a little free time to explore Athlete's Village, the coaching staff set up the dressing room, putting each girls gear in the player stalls, hanging up jerseys. Then we surprised the girls with a professinal looking dressing room. Took some time to read the well wishes - emails, cards, notes sent from home. Some the girls knew about, a lot of emails had been forwarded to me and was a surprise. We've posted these in our dressing room, the girls have a gigantic display of support everytime we leave to go on the ice.
After this, we went around the room and shared our artifacts we had taken with us. Artifacts are the items we've taken that show why we're here. It was funny, emotional, and a real reminder of who we are as a team. Something I'll never forget as a coach!
Day 2 - very structured. Practice in the morning, a little down time in the afternoon. Game time in the evening. Playing in the Metro Center is VERY cool, (in spirit, not in temperature!) the girls were a little nervous, but overall played well. We lost 4-1 to Nova Scotia, but the play was much closer than the score indicates. Our goalies were incredible - Hayden played the first half, Catherine the second. Each made saves that were TSN highlights-worthy. We've learned some lessons from Game 1, and will practice some techniques Day 3 in the morning to ensure Game 2 is better.
Lots of support - emails, pats on the back from fans over here for the week. And the food is pretty good, too...
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