The U.S. Women’s Hockey Team got in one of their final practice games before they headed to the Olympics in Sochi.
However, they didn’t go up against another women’s team, but a high school boys’ team instead. The Olympic team took on the Rivers School from Weston.
“Uh, they’re good, they’re fast, uh, you know, their poise of the puck is really good. Its way above anyone we’ve played. It’s impressive,” said one high school player.
Team USA is looking to take home the gold in Sochi, and it would be their first since 1998 in Nagano.
They’ve played a number of games against boys’ teams from across New England; team captain and four-time Olympian, Julie Chu, said the opponent helped them prepare in a specific way.
“It was a great game, uh, the Rivers team has a really good team, especially their power play. I thought they moved the puck well, and we had to work on our penalty kill a little bit. Um, for us, all these are great match-ups and they help us prepare for the Sochi games,” said Julie Chu, U.S. Women’s Hockey captain.
Team USA has had mixed results in these games winning some and coming out on the losing end in others.
“For us we’re making sure that every time we step on that ice, whether it’s a practice or a game, we’re going to use that as a preparation tool,” Chu said.
The head coach of the Rivers School is no stranger to the Olympics.
Shawn McEachern skated for team USA in 1992. He’s also a former BU star who played for several teams, including the Bruins, during his 15-year career.
McEachern’s players seem think team USA could regain the top spot on the podium in a few weeks.
“I think they have a shot at gold. I saw them play Canada and they beat them 5-1, so they look good,” another hockey player from Rivers said.
Team USA and team Canada entered the tournament as the favorites for gold, and USA will start its tournament against Finland on Saturday.