Bridges ‘raring to go’ in para ice hockey
Billy Bridges is ready for the puck to drop.
The Summerside native will play for Team Canada in the para ice hockey (formerly sledge hockey) competition at the Paralympics in South Korea, but first the squad will join the rest of the country’s contingent to take part in today’s opening ceremonies, which begin at 7 a.m. Atlantic.
“I think most of us are just kind of raring to go,” Bridges said Thursday night, which was early Friday morning in Pyeongchang. “I wish there was a way we could fast-forward to get to what we’ve been waiting for for four years, (to) get back into those games. (But) it’s nice to force ourselves to slow things down a bit and take in the Olympics because it’s something you kind of take for granted.”
Bridges was born with spina bifida, which limits his mobility. He uses crutches and sometimes a wheelchair. He said there are a couple of key moments during the opening ceremonies which really hit home for him. One of them will be hearing Canada’s name called while entering the venue behind flag-bearer Brian McKeever.
“Usually the wheelchairs get to go in front, so it’s kind of neat. You get a really good view of the flag and hear all the people cheering for you. It’s pretty exciting.”
Bridges, who turns 34 later this month, is competing in his fifth Paralympics and said they are all different.
“Obviously, the exact same in theory,” he explained, but “the unfortunate thing about this experience (is) results heavily persuade the mind how it went.”
He said the 2010 Games in Vancouver was one of the worst moments of his life, unable to earn a medal on home soil.
“One of the best moments of my life was with no family, no one in Italy at all and no one watching on TV because it wasn’t on, but we won gold.”
The last four years have been the slowest, yet fastest, of his life, Bridges said. Now, all the training and preparation is about to be put to the test.
“It doesn’t feel close,” Bridges admitted. “I don’t think it’ll feel close until we’re finally into the faceoff for the first game and then we’re finally underway.”
The team, which is comprised of many players who competed at the World Sledge Hockey Challenge in Charlottetown the past two seasons, has practised six times since arriving in Korea, including once on the main rink.
“The ice feels great, and the facilities are perfect, so we have no excuses,” Bridges said.
The team plays its first game against Sweden on Saturday at 6 a.m. Atlantic, followed by games Sunday at 6 a.m. with Italy and Monday at 2:30 a.m. with Norway.