Alexis Larson said that her experience playing with Team Canada at the 2017 Winter Universiade was unbelievable. Team Canada won silver in the hockey competition, losing to Team Russia in the gold final.
“The people of Almaty, Kazakhstan completely blew myself and my team away. They built an entire athletes village for five thousand people, three huge arena’s for men’s hockey, curling and figure skating. The long track speed skating track was an outdoor stadium located at the base of a mountain range. Everything about this FISU games was completely unbelievable,” said Larson.
She said that it was a dream come true for Team Canada to play against Team USA in the semi final of the 2017 Winter Universiade. “The Canada vs USA rivalry is one of the best there is and to win the semi final game against them was a great accomplishment. The crowds were always at capacity (5000) and so the excitement we felt after that game was unlike anything I have experience. I will never forget looking into the crowd after the game when we saluted the crowd as a team to see my family completely immersed in the moment, everyone’s hands up and their faces red as they screamed for us.”
There was also a lot of pressure when Team Canada faced up against Team Russia for the gold medal. “They are a more skilled team than the USA at this tournament and the, again, sold out Kazakh crowd was largely in favor of their neighbours (Russia),” said Larson.
“Russia played a great, aggressive game. Our power play didn’t produce and theirs did. This is what the game came down to, special teams, and on this day — it wasn’t our day. I am proud of how hard we fought and excited about the way this experience has changed and fueled me. It was an honor and a privilege to battle with a maple leaf on my chest beside an unbelievably talented group of athletes,” said Larson. “I left nothing behind and although we had our eyes on gold, I am proud of the silver medal we are coming home with.”
For game details from the 2017 Winter Universiade, pick up the February 8th edition of the Weyburn Review, which featured a picture of Larson and her teammates.
