From andria Fri Jan 23 18:58:54 1998
To: goldberg@vm.temple.edu
Subject: Re: Interview for Just for Women's Sports Magazine

Hi Debbie,

>I tried to reach you by phone last evening, but I guess I missed you.  I
>was tickled to see on your web page that you live at 666 Spadina.  I lived
>there in 1975.  Guess all that poured concrete just lasts and lasts!

Wow, that's funny!  I guess the building was pretty new when
you lived there.  Do you know when it was built?

>I was hoping that you might give me your thoughts on the Canada-US Women's
>Hockey rivalry.

Sure, no problem.

>The US women look like they are creeping up on the
>Canadians, getting more wins and closer losses.   

Yes, that's definitely true.  There's no denying that Team Canada is no
longer assured the gold medal -- not that Team Canada has ever taken it
for granted that they would win a gold medal.  It's going to be close
right to the finish, and the team that wants it more will come out on
top.  Both teams have shown that they can beat the other team, so it's
definitely going to be a nail-biter to the end!

I feel that the reason the US is catching up is because
  1. they have good coaching.
  2. the college hockey program is becoming really well-developed,
       resulting in more players from which to draw.
  3. like Team Canada, they have been able to train together
       as a team, full-time.

>There are always
>complaints about coaching and team management, but are the Canadian women
>getting appropriate training?  

I think that the Canadians are training appropriately.  The women look
to be playing very well in the games that I have seen recently, so I
would image that they are training appropriately.

I don't know the details about coaching and team management because I
am not involved with the team now, but if these are carried out as they
were when I was on the team in '92 and '94, I definitely do not think
that these things will hinder Team Canada.

>Is the team working with all it's heart towards Nagano, and are they bonded.  

It's really hard for me to say because I am not involved directly
with the team now.  From my experience, the coaching staff always
encouraged activities that induced team bonding, so I would imagine
that they are coming together as a team.

>In previous years, there were
>whispers about difficulties because of language etc.  

Really, the language barrier wasn't all that apparent in the years
that I was on the team.  As most of the French players have a good
grasp of the English language, they were usually able to follow along.
Whenever there was a player who had trouble because of language, there
was always a coach or player who could help by translating to 
French for her.

>Are the two teams well matched at this point.  

Judging by the results of the exhibition games, I'd say that the 
two teams are extremely well-matched.  The USA has definitely 
narrowed the gap since '92.  

>Do you think there will be any surprises in the outcome.  

I think the biggest surprise would be if Finland takes either
the gold or silver medal, and I suppose this is possible although
not likely.  I would not be surprised if either Canada or the
USA took the gold medal.  Both teams have shown that they are
capable of this, so it would not be a big surprise to me.

>If Las Vegas thought enough to have the line on women's
>hockey, where would the smart money be?

In my unbiased opinion I'd put my money on Canada!! :-)

>I'm looking forward to your answers.  Thanks for taking the time.  I can't
>wait for the games to begin.  I even went and got a new VCR so that I'd get
>it all on tape.  Just didn't trust the old one to do the job right.  BTW,
>how is the undergraduate Computer Science at U of T these days.  My oldest
>daughter is thinking of looking at it.

I think they have a very respectable undergraduate department.  They have
good faculty members and good facilities, so I think they are right up
there with the best Computer Science departments in the country.

>Thanks for all your help.

You're welcome.  

If it's not too much trouble, could you please send me a copy of
the article, or if this is for an electronic magazine, please
send me the web page address.

Thanks and Take care,

 Andria Hunter
 666 Spadina Ave, PH#6
 Toronto, ON
 M5S 2H8

Andria