Saskatoon-bred hockey players return home for Team Canada's rivalry game against U.S.

Team Canada down 3-1 in Rivalry Series against U.S. women's team

Image | Team Canada Women's Hockey Team 2024

Caption: Team Canada will battle Team USA in the fifth game of the women's hockey Rivalry Series on Wednesday at the SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, Sask. (Dayne Patterson/CBC)

When her plane landed at Saskatoon's International Airport, it finally dawned on Sophie Shirley that she would be playing for Team Canada — and in her hometown.
The 24-year-old forward was at a dog park when she got the call to join the national team midway through the best-of-seven rivalry series against the U.S. Women's National Team that currently holds a 3-1 series lead over the red-and-white.
"Super excited to get this opportunity to show them what I got," Shirley said after practising with the team on Tuesday.
The Rivalry Series, which has so far had games in Arizona, California and Ontario, has been on hold since Game 4 on Dec. 16. The players have spent the last month playing in the newly formed Professional Women's Hockey League. They are switching those jerseys — Shirley's own being a green Boston Pride sweater — for the Maple Leaf.

Image | Team Canada Women's Hockey Feb. 2024

Caption: Canada's national women's hockey team is down 3-1 in the Rivalry Series against Team USA. (Dayne Patterson/CBC)

Shirley will be facing off against her Boston captain, Hilary Knight, when the teams hit the ice.
Shirley won't be the only Saskatoon-bred forward on the team. Emily Clark, who played with Shirley's brothers growing up, will also be playing her first professional game in Saskatoon.
"It's extremely surreal to be back home at all, playing hockey at this level, especially with the national team," she said. "It's honestly so special. It's a dream come true that I didn't even know that I could have."
And it's a dream that seems to be real for younger hockey fans watching the Canadians practise at Merlis Belsher Place in Saskatoon.
Among those in the small crowd were girls wearing the Maple Leaf with Clark's name and No. 26 stitched on the back.

Image | Team Canada women's hockey practice

Caption: Though most of the stands were empty, girls and boys watched the Maple Leaf- clad players. Some of the girls wore Emily Clark's jersey. (Trevor Bothorel/Radio-Canada)

It's not unlike how Clark's career started.
"When I was five years old I got to meet Dana Antal here, and that one single autograph fuelled my dream to make the Olympic team one day. So to know that the young girls and boys get to see this calibre of hockey and get inspired by us today and tomorrow, it really means a lot to me."
WATCH| Here's what to expect at Rivalry Series this week:

Media Video | Here's what to expect when Team Canada faces off against U.S. at Rivalry Series this week

Caption: After nearly two months on hold, the Canada-U.S. Rivalry Series will continue in Saskatoon. The best female hockey players in both countries will don their colours in what will be a do-or-die game for Canada. CBC's Dayne Patterson has a preview.

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The links with teammates in the PWHL hasn't reduced the tension ahead Wednesday's night's game against at the SaskTel Centre.
"We've got a job to do tomorrow and we want that win," Clark said. "The girls are hungry for it."
The rival U.S. team was on the ice Tuesday to prepare for Game 5.

Image | Team Canada hockey coach

Caption: Coach Troy Ryan instructs the players during a drill at Tuesday's practice at Merlis Belsher Place in Saskatoon. (Dayne Patterson/CBC)

Head coach Troy Ryan knows the value in winning against a rival, but says it doesn't change what the competition will be like during the IIHF World Championships(external link) set for April 3-14 in Utica, N.Y.
"We want to find a way to get back in this rivalry series and if we're successful, great, that's great preparation for Worlds," he said. "But, also knowing success in the rival series doesn't ultimately mean success in the world championship."
Last year, Canada came back from a 3-0 series deficit to win.
Regardless of how Wednesday's game ends, the series will continue on to Regina for Game 6, and its final game in Minnesota on Sunday.