Saskatoon players ready for homecoming as Canada faces U.S. in Rivalry Series

Wednesday night in Saskatoon will mark a long-awaited homecoming for two members of the Canadian women’s hockey team.

Emily Clark and Sophie Shirley will hit the ice at SaskTel Centre when Canada takes on the United States for the fifth game of their Rivalry Series, a seven-game contest between the two countries.

“The last game I would’ve played in Saskatoon would’ve either been in my brother’s beer league games at the Jemini or when I played for the Saskatoon Stars when I was 16,” Clark chuckled after a practice on Tuesday at Merlis Belsher Place.

“It’s surreal to be able to be back at home playing hockey at this level, especially with the national team. It’s so special and it’s a dream come true that I didn’t even know I could have. I’m just trying to soak up every second.”

For Clark, the game in Saskatoon takes her back to when she was a young girl watching the Canadian women and Saskatoon Blades at SaskTel Centre.

“When I was five years old, I got to meet Dana Antal here, and that one single autograph fueled my dream to make the Olympic team one day,” she explained. “To know that the young girls and boys get to see this calibre of hockey and get inspired by us really means a lot to me.”

Clark is currently playing year-round for Ottawa in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL).

For Shirley, this weekend is extra special. Not only does she get to play at home, but she’ll also make her debut with the senior national team.

“I haven’t played a game here since I was in Grade 10,” said Shirley, who played her high school hockey at Notre Dame in Wilcox and the Okanagan Hockey Academy in Kelowna before landing at the University of Wisconsin and eventually Boston with the PWHL.

“It’s been a few years for me – I’m super-excited to play in front of family and a home crowd.”

She said a surreal moment came soon after she landed at the airport on Monday.

“I can’t count the amount of times I’ve been in that airport coming home for Christmas,” Shirley said. “I got to see my family last night for dinner, and having that feeling of like ‘Holy crap, this is happening and I’m playing in my hometown and arena.’ It’s a pretty cool feeling.”

Head coach Troy Ryan had nothing but praise for what Shirley and Clark have done to get themselves to this point.

“Sophie has been someone who has been on our radar for a number of years. The PWHL has been huge for her. I think she’s had a good start and showed she’s got the ability to play in that physical game, so we’re excited to have been able to name her to the roster and see what she can do,” said Ryan.

“Emily has been a huge staple in our program and is just a player who plays the game the right way,” Ryan added. “She’s a physical presence on the ice on a real foundational line for us. We love everything about her.”

Canada and the United States will typically play each other at least once a year, as it’s the best women’s hockey competition out there.

But this camp is a bit different for the players, as it’s the first time the two countries have played each other since the PWHL’s launch.

The league has been off to a smashing success since it launched in January with arenas sold out and TV ratings soaring.

Team captain Marie-Philip Poulin is regarded as one of the best female hockey players ever, and has been playing with the Canadian women since the 2008-09 season. She’s seen every up and down when it comes to the growth of the women’s game in North America, and said she couldn’t be more thrilled to see it finally thriving.

“It’s been a long time coming. I think it’s been an adjustment for all of us. It’s been a lot of hockey, but I’ve got to tell you that’s what we wanted and love it,” Poulin said.

“Being able to be part of a PWHL team and Team Canada, it’s been unbelievable.”

Heading into Wednesday night’s game, the players will have to adjust how they typically play because of the ways international play is officiated.

For example, PWHL players can throw hits and if a shorthanded goal is scored during a penalty kill, then the power play is nullified.

Because the international game is officiated a lot more tightly than what fans normally see in North America, Clark said some teams may need to make quick mental adjustments so they can stay out of the box.

“Obviously all of us have been playing quite physical hockey and the rules are different,” Clark said. “I think there will be a learning curve for both teams and seeing how far we can push it.”

When it comes to the Rivalry Series, Canada is currently trailing the United States 3-1 in the seven-game tournament.

The United States won the first two games of the series at home in November and each team picked up a win in Ontario in December.

The puck drops for Wednesday’s game at 7 p.m. in Saskatoon.

Both teams then head to Regina for a game on Friday at the Brandt Centre, also set for 7 p.m.