This past Saturday I watched the exciting semifinal Jr. World Cup hockey game between Canada and Russia. I love watching two teams play with 110% effort, with passion and determination while wearing their country’s flag on their chest. For the young Canadian team, the pressure was on for them. Not only is Hockey a nationally watched sport but also the Canadian Jr. Team has reached the final game 8 years in a row. Canada is a hockey nation that we have dominated the ice since 1920, when the first international hockey championship was played in Antwerp.
This game was a battle between two rival countries, going back 35years when the first World Jr. Hockey Championship took place in 1974. Since then Russia has won 26medals (12 gold, 9 silver and 5 bronze) and Canada has won 23 medals (13gold, 6 silver and 4 bronze). The history between these two teams goes deep and you could definitely see it on every players face.
I was inspired watching these young 18 year olds playing with everything they had, risking their bodies in front of pucks, finishing every check to the boards and completely exhausted after every shift. With any action packed and intense sporting event, I was into it. I had not been following the tournament but for this game, I could not tear my eyes apart from the television. I honestly felt like I was live in the arena cheering on the Canadian team.
The young Canadian team led the game 3-2 going into the third period. The 3rd period was dramatic with both teams fighting for their lives for a chance to get to the final. The 3rd period was another game in itself, with the lead changing 3 times. With 1min left to play the Russians were up 5-4. You could see the nerves start to set in on both sides, Russia barley holding on to the lead and Canada trying everything to tie the game. With 20 second left, you started to see the relief on the Russians faces, believing that they had upset the Canadian team. However, there is something unexplainable about this young Canadian team, something that is deep within every young Canadian that plays hockey: The drive, the passion and the determination to be the winner and not let your country down. With less than 5 seconds left, the Canadians scored and the game was tied at 5-5. We would go onto play 20min of sudden death overtime and eventually win it in shootouts. The Russian were beside themselves, and the devastation was across every Russian player. However, you have to hand it to the Canadian side, they never gave up, the didn’t let their nerves get to them, they had the passion and the drive that comes from within to play until the clock says zero.
We can all learn from these young players by having heart, passion and the never give up attitude. These are all characteristics that we can apply to our everyday lives, whether it is coming to work everyday, training for your next event or planning time with your family. Have heart and passion to make your day, your goals, and your year more enjoyable, which will increase your drive to finish what you started.
This game was a battle between two rival countries, going back 35years when the first World Jr. Hockey Championship took place in 1974. Since then Russia has won 26medals (12 gold, 9 silver and 5 bronze) and Canada has won 23 medals (13gold, 6 silver and 4 bronze). The history between these two teams goes deep and you could definitely see it on every players face.
I was inspired watching these young 18 year olds playing with everything they had, risking their bodies in front of pucks, finishing every check to the boards and completely exhausted after every shift. With any action packed and intense sporting event, I was into it. I had not been following the tournament but for this game, I could not tear my eyes apart from the television. I honestly felt like I was live in the arena cheering on the Canadian team.
The young Canadian team led the game 3-2 going into the third period. The 3rd period was dramatic with both teams fighting for their lives for a chance to get to the final. The 3rd period was another game in itself, with the lead changing 3 times. With 1min left to play the Russians were up 5-4. You could see the nerves start to set in on both sides, Russia barley holding on to the lead and Canada trying everything to tie the game. With 20 second left, you started to see the relief on the Russians faces, believing that they had upset the Canadian team. However, there is something unexplainable about this young Canadian team, something that is deep within every young Canadian that plays hockey: The drive, the passion and the determination to be the winner and not let your country down. With less than 5 seconds left, the Canadians scored and the game was tied at 5-5. We would go onto play 20min of sudden death overtime and eventually win it in shootouts. The Russian were beside themselves, and the devastation was across every Russian player. However, you have to hand it to the Canadian side, they never gave up, the didn’t let their nerves get to them, they had the passion and the drive that comes from within to play until the clock says zero.
We can all learn from these young players by having heart, passion and the never give up attitude. These are all characteristics that we can apply to our everyday lives, whether it is coming to work everyday, training for your next event or planning time with your family. Have heart and passion to make your day, your goals, and your year more enjoyable, which will increase your drive to finish what you started.
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