Buckeyes Pay a Visit to the Detroit Red Wings

While most students at Ohio State enjoyed their class free Veteran’s Day sleeping in, members of the Women’s Club hockey team took advantage of their free morning for a rare opportunity. Amanda Damrath, Tessa McAnally, Emily Moersdorf, Amanda Keeton, Lindsey Roshon, Elaina Jones, Abby McAtee, Amanda Robinson, and Jackie Hepfinger (along with Buckeyes photographer and former player Rachel Lewis) arrived at Nationwide Arena, and thanks to Head Coach John Damrath were able to observe the Detroit Red Wings practice before their game against the Columbus Bluejackets later that night.

           “It was crazy to see them do drills that we do, but at such high speed and awesome skill level,” said junior Tessa McAnally. McAnally, a diehard Pittsburgh Penguins fan, was still impressed by the skill of the players, and happy to get the chance to observe the practice. Besides the Bluejackets coaching staff, the Buckeyes were the only people permitted to come in to Nationwide Arena during the ice time.

 During the practice, the Buckeyes also got a chance to talk with Red Wings Coach Mike Babcock about the team, as well as meet some of the players as the practice was ending. The Buckeyes got the chance to talk to the players and a few even got the chance to take home sticks used by the Red Wings during the practice.  

“It was really cool to see [the Red Wings] in a different setting from a game or planned media appearance,” sophomore goaltender and Red Wings fan Lindsey Roshon said. “They were all more relaxed and just having fun and getting ready for the game that night.”

The OSU Women’s Club Hockey team must have been the lucky charm for the Red Wings: as the Buckeyes took the ice for their weekly practice that night, the Red Wings went on to defeat the Columbus Bluejackets 9-1 at Nationwide Arena.

The team would like to thank the Detroit Red Wings, Head Coach John Damrath, and Nick Lidstrom for this amazing opportunity. "The team was very grateful to get this chance to observe this level of hockey," said President Allie Mackerty."This definitely wasn't something we get the chance to do every day!"