Since I haven't seen any personal accounts of this game posted yet, I
figured I would take the opportunity to post some comments.
 
It's hard to express in words the feelings I had walking into this
momentous event. Having played for the UW Club team as a graduate student
and having wanted to see women's hockey as a varsity sport for years, this
was a dream come true. As I headed towards some good corner seats with my
friend and the band was playing "On Wisconsin!", I was a bit teary eyed. Of
course the fact that I was a band member during my undergrad days added to
the emotions.
 
It was great to see women in the spotlight. Everything from the programs
specially prepared for the inaugural weekend to the opening ceremonies to
the sieving of the opposing goalie during team introductions to the actual
dropping of the puck as the game got under way was amazing. I am very glad
I was able to attend this history making event.
 
At the game I ran into another women who had played on the club team and
was able to reminisce a bit. I also saw one member of a team associated
with the women's league in which I currently play hockey.
 
I was impressed by the number of fans present who had obviously attended
men's games in the past (based on the knowledge of the cheers). To me this
says the crowd was a hockey crowd interested in the expansion of the sport,
not just a crowd interested in a novelty that will wear off in a few weeks.
 
It was disappointing that while the crowd was large, it was not a full
house. Yes, the fact that the Badgers lost was also a bit of a
disappointment, however, I personally was so happy to see this dream come
true, that the score was not all that important in the end.
 
All in all it was a great evening and "A Great Day For Hockey".
 
 
Wendy Istvanick
 
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