Midwestern

Saugeen Maitland Lightning Take On Chinese National Team

It's an international affair in Wingham tonight.

The Saugeen Maitland AA Midgets are hosting the Chinese Women's hockey team in a sold out exhibition game.

Coach Joe Chaffe says after having some recent practices cancelled due to weather, they have had to find other ways to prepare.

"We had to use some situations in our weekend games, it made it tough to prepare." Chaffe said before the team managed to get together for a practise last night.

Tickets for the marquee match-up became hard to come by, with organizers announcing a sell out well before game day. 1000 tickets were sold for the game.

As for the on ice product, the Chinese team does tours like the one stopping in Wingham often, with mixed results. The  games are used as preparation for international tournaments. Currently China is looking to get back into the Olympics for 2018 and using the tours as early prep.

Coach Joe Chaffe expects a tough contest, but feels his team can get the result they want.

"This is their national team." He says "Their ages range from 22-28 and they train all year, but I think our girls will do fine." Players on Saugeen Maitland are around 16-years-old.

Puck drop is 7 PM at the North Huron Wescast Community Complex.

 

 

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