Ohio State women's hockey team reflects on outdoor experience ahead of NHL Stadium Series
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The ice rink is ready for Saturday's NHL Stadium Series at Ohio Stadium. But just last month in Chicago, a historic ballpark was transformed into an outdoor ice hockey rink.
The Ohio State Women's Ice Hockey Team was among the select group of players who got to take to the ice outside on Wrigley Field - the same place where home runs typically happen.
Forwards, Sloane Matthews and Jocelyn Amos, said they're still coming off the high from playing there.
"The buzz around it and the team was just unreal," Amos said.
Matthews said it was a surreal moment learning about the opportunity.
"It was probably the coolest that us and Wisconsin were the first women's programs to be able to play in such a big venue outside," Matthews said. "And being able to see how many fans showed up and wanted to watch us play was really cool."
The players said nothing compares to playing in the same venue where other great athletes have made history.
"You just know you're on the same field that other great athletes and greatness has happened out there before, so you just know you're in a special place right when you get out there," Amos said.
Matthews said its been one of the highlights of her collegiate career.
"Everyone was just so excited to be able to be playing outdoors in front of that many people," Matthews said.
Matthews said while they couldn't see the fans in the stadium, they could hear them, especially after their game winning goal against Wisconsin - a rematch of last year's national championship game.
"It was definitely a nail-biter," Matthews said. "And since two days before, we had gotten pretty beat by them, it was really awesome to come back out with even more fight and not go down without a swing."
Players said the energy was electric.
"Overtime shootout," Amos said. "The crowd's going crazy. It was a storybook ending for sure."
Players said preparations for an outdoor game look a bit different, especially when it comes to lighting, ice conditions and the temperatures.
"We got extra wool socks," Amos said. "We layered up underneath."
"Especially if you're playing at night, it's kind of hard to see when the puck is in the air, especially for the goalies," Matthews said. "They really have to adjust."
As the Blue Jackets prepare to face off against the Detroit Red Wings Saturday at the Horseshoe, all eyes will be on them.
"They also do kind of have big expectations for playing in the Shoe where football just brought home the natty so trying to live up to that, I think it's going to be a lot of nerves and excitement for them," Matthews said.
Amos said events like this help shine a spotlight on the sport in central Ohio.
"Hockey's just on the rise and it's going to keep growing," Amos said. "And with this, hockey hasn't been Columbus' main sport, you obviously look at football when you think of Ohio State, but I think this will help put hockey on the map and just continue to grow it."
Matthews hopes to inspire other young athletes.
"All the little kids that come to our games, that go to the men's games, there are just so many that are looking up to us and aspiring to play at a higher level," Matthews said. "And having the Stadium Series it's just going to increase that even more."
The Ohio State Women's Ice Hockey team has won two of the past three national titles in women's hockey. The Ohio State football, dance, and women's hockey teams will be honored during the second intermission of Saturday's NHL Stadium Series game. Face-off is set for 6 p.m. Saturday.