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Behind-the-Scenes: Game Day with the U.S. National Junior Team

By USAHockey.com, 12/27/16, 2:30PM EST

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Take an inside look at game day preparations for the U.S. National Junior Team while they compete at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship

Before Team USA's first game of the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship, USA Hockey took an inside look at the preparations that take place on game day. With the video and below time stamps, follow to see the team as they start their preparations with a pre-game walk all the way to puck drop.

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10:15 a.m. - Team Walk

The team bundles up and takes a walk around the downtown Toronto area to get their legs moving before their meetings, lunch and pre-game nap.

10:30 a.m. - Team Meeting

Coach Miller goes over game film with the team as they prepare to face Latvia. Coach Motzko reminds the players of their goals for the tournament, and gives a motivating pep-talk.

11:00 a.m. - Pre-Game Meal

For today's pre-game meal there is pasta, white and brown rice, salmon, chicken, vegetables and salad. The team will make sure they eat enough and get the right nutrients before they hit the ice.

11:30-1:20 p.m. - Rest Time

Following their meal, many members of the team go upstairs to take a nap before their afternoon game. Others will relax by reading, playing video games or watching TV.

1:20 p.m. - Bus to Arena

Team USA takes the quick bus ride from the hotel down to the Air Canada Center where all of the games in Toronto are held. During this bus ride, many players listen to music to get pumped up for the game.

1:30 p.m. - Arrive at Rink

Team USA arrives at the Air Canada Center and heads to the locker room to start to get ready for their game.

2:00 p.m. - Individual Preparations

After their arrival at the Air Canada Center but before the team stretch, members of the U.S. National Junior Team use this time to re-tape their sticks, stretch, grab a cup of coffee and play two-touch.

2:20 p.m. - Team Stretch

The team gathers together to do some dynamic stretching to get their bodies ready for the game. 

3:00 p.m. - On-Ice Warmups

Team USA gets on the ice for the first time of the day and goes through various shooting, passing and skating drills to prepare for the puck drop.

3:38 p.m. - Puck Drop

After the pre-game introductions of the teams and the reading of the starting lines, the puck is dropped and USA's first game of the tournament is off!


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