US women’s ice hockey team comes to ABQ for training and exhibitions

US Caroline Harvey is shown in action in an exhibition game against Canada in Hartford, Connecticut on Monday. (AP Photo / Jessica Hill)

The U.S. women’s national ice hockey team is coming to Albuquerque this Saturday for a few days of altitude training and two scrimmages against the New Mexico Ice Wolves ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics.

The US team has full access to the training facilities of the Outpost Ice Arenas – home of the Ice Wolves who play in the North American men’s hockey league.

The US women, defending gold medal winners of the 2018 Olympic Games, will be honored during a puck-drop before the Ice Wolves’ home game against NAHL opponent Amarillo on November 7th.

Then the Ice Wolves and the US women will play on November 8th and 9th, both start times at 6.30pm

“The opportunity for NM Ice Wolves to play against the best women hockey players in the world in preparation for the upcoming Winter Olympics is a great honor and our team is excited to be part of the US Women’s National Team’s journey to Beijing. “Said Stan Hubbard, owner of the Ice Wolves and Outpost Ice Arenas, in a statement sent by the team.

Tickets for the two scrimmages are available at tickets.nmicewolves.com. The games will also air on the New Mexico Sports Network, UHF Channel 20.5, the Ice Wolves said.

Both scrimmages, regardless of the final results, will include 3-on-3 overtime and a shootout as part of the training program for the US women. The Scrimmages will be available on Channel 20.5 and on HockeyTV, a paid subscription site that features all of the Ice Wolves games.

The opportunity to travel to New Mexico for altitude training and a series of scrimmages with the (Ice Wolves) is a journey we are incredibly excited about, ”said Katie Million, USA Hockey Director of Women National Team Programs.

Outpost Ice Arenas lists an altitude of 6,129 feet.

The US has a gap in its schedule after a COVID-19 lockdown forced Russia to pull out of a three-game series in Belfast, Northern Ireland, beginning November 9. “It is the world we live in today. We just have to learn to adapt and adapt, ”said Million.

The American team played against Canada in Hartford, Connecticut on Monday night and lost 3-2. These two teams are playing a nine-game series that will continue on November 21 in Kingston, Ontario.

The 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing will begin on February 4th.