Rivalry Series Preview: Canada vs. United States

From teammates to school hockey opponents, Nicole and Julia Gosling are reuniting on the ice as teammates as soon as once more when Canada’s National Women’s
Team resumes the Rivalry Series on dwelling ice.

The London, Ontario, cousins are trying ahead to reconnecting on one other
Team Canada squad because the Canadians look to make an influence towards the United
States in marquee match-ups in Kitchener and Sarnia.

“I’m tremendous excited. Anytime you get to place that jersey on is a superb
feeling, however to have the ability to do it at this stage is a dream come true,” Nicole
says.

Nicole, a 5-foot-7 defender and Julia, a 5-foot-11 ahead, final performed
along with Canada’s National Women’s Development Team in a three-game
collection towards the U.S. in August 2022. They additionally shared the ice with the
National Women’s Under-18 Team in 2019, serving to Canada to a gold medal at
the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship. Both are trying ahead to being
on the identical aspect and discovering their earlier chemistry.

“The chemistry is at all times there—she will be able to at all times discover me, and I at all times know
the place she is,” Julia says. “We can learn one another very effectively on the ice. It
will probably be good to not must go up towards her, but additionally to have our household
round to see us play collectively once more.”

The U18 Women’s Worlds expertise was a spotlight for each Goslings, and
seeing Julia make her nationwide staff debut through the 2021-22 Olympic
centralization was a second of delight for Nicole. Despite being opponents
recently, the household ties are robust.

“Our first 12 months enjoying for Team Canada was the 12 months we received gold and that
was a particular expertise,” Nicole says. “I’ve watched Julia have her success
the 12 months earlier than when she made the staff. With her being a 12 months older, I’m
capable of watch from her experiences and hopefully be capable to observe her.
Anytime I get to play along with her, it’s particular not just for us, however for our
household as effectively.”

While Nicole made her debut with Canada’s National Women’s
Team on dwelling ice in Kitchener, Julia is representing Canada for a 3rd time within the
Rivalry Series.

“There are totally different roles on the staff, and it is very important be a sponge
and absorb as a lot info as potential,” Nicole says. “I wish to achieve
as a lot info as I can once I’m round these gamers and coaches.
Julia has at all times shared nice issues and I can’t wait to expertise that for
myself.”

It’s been a busy faculty 12 months for each Goslings—Julia is a senior at St.
Lawrence University and is third in ECAC scoring with 29 factors, whereas
Nicole is a senior at Clarkson University and is sixth in assists. Their
groups sit third and fourth in a good race within the ECAC standings, so
reuniting as teammates on Team Canada is a pleasant change of tempo for the
cousins.

“I do know she will probably be a bit nervous about making her debut, however she is going to
study on her personal—she’s good and chill. I believe she is going to do effectively, however I’ll
be there to assist her by way of it,” Julia shares. “We’ve been enjoying towards
one another so typically now that it seems like there that’s further
competitiveness when your loved ones, however it’s all love although. We need every
different to achieve success.”

The cousins are solely a 12 months aside and have at all times been shut—their fathers
are similar twins and their households reside solely quarter-hour aside in
London—however it was hockey that bonded them even additional.

“When we have been youthful, we have been each shy children and hockey is what introduced us
collectively,” Julia says.

Representing Canada with the National Women’s Team is just not solely a dream come
true, however it’s further particular with the ability to do it so near dwelling.
Kitchener and Sarnia are simply over an hour away from their hometown. They
anticipate many members of the family and buddies with Gosling jerseys within the
stands, which makes this reunion much more particular.

“I believe we can have lots of Goslings within the stands. It will probably be nice to
have that assist so shut,” Julia says. “Having Nicole and I on the identical
staff when these video games are so near house is simply one of the best.”

“Hockey is at all times about connections and making friendships however doing it with
a member of the family makes it that rather more particular,” Nicole provides. “Having that
assist within the crowd will probably be particular.”

The Rivalry Series performs an essential function in how Canada and the United
States choose their closing rosters for the IIHF Women’s World Championship.
Julia and Nicole are hoping to showcase their talent and earn their subsequent
alternative to put on the Maple Leaf.

“This has always been our dream to play at the next level together,” Nicole
says. “Now that we’re right here, we wish to profit from it and assist every
different.”