Ab Sch The Pandas hockey team played host to the Japanese Women’s National Team last weekend, earning a split with a 1-0 victory on Saturday and a 4-1 loss on Monday.
Goaltender Lindsey Post led the way on Saturday with a dominant performance, stopping all 37 shots that she faced. Fifth-year defenceman Natasha Steblin’s goal in the second period proved to be enough for the Pandas as they inched out a victory despite being heavily outshot throughout the game.
On Monday, it was a different story.
Japan, known for its speed and agility on the ice, set an ambitious tone for themselves after their first goal was scored shortly after the game’s start. Japan followed it up with three more goals, two of which were scored by captain Chiho Osawa, eventually earning the victory 4-1.
Playing in Canada has been a “good time for the team” Osawa said. After a disappointing, tight loss on Saturday, Japan adapted their game and ended up with the result they wanted in the rematch on Monday, Osawa said.
Osawa also said that passing and shooting power is something Japan wanted to improve on after playing the Pandas.
“We have different shot power and passing power between the Japanese and the Canadian teams,” she said.
Though the Pandas had several good scoring opportunities throughout the game, Japan only let in goal towards the end of the third period, scored by Deanna Morin.
“It was kind of a scramble, but all of my linemates helped out there,” Morin said.
Pandas head coach Howie Draper was away for the games against Japan. Currently, Draper is in Sweden serving as one of Team Canada’s assistant coaches at the Four Nations Cup.
Playing without the head coach is different, but it just means the Pandas have to adjust accordingly, Morin said.
Off of the ice, the Pandas and the Japanese Women’s National Team have spent time together watching the Golden Bears game. These international exchanges are part of what enhance the student-athlete experience, Draper said to the U of A.
“These kinds of opportunities are among the most memorable for me going back to when I was a student-athlete at the U of A,” he said.
Morin said playing Japan is different from playing Canada West teams because of their passing speed and quick breakouts. The main things the Pandas have learned from the exchange has been systematic work and playing as a team.
“They’re a very strong team,” she said. “Kind of made us have to stick to our systems.”
