"I don't think any of us were expecting it (LaBahn) to be exactly like this,'' she admit- ted. "It has definitely ex- ceeded our expectations. Some of the alums have said, 'You guys are really lucky it, enjoy it.''
opment, Johnson said. Especially since the U.S. senior team will feature elite goaltenders like former UW All-American Jesse Vetter and Molly Schaus. "Those are two class kids and great role models,'' he said, "and Alex will learn from them.'' Rigsby learned something the hard way at Du- luth when she fell outside of her crease. It was a costly lesson in that it cost her a goal. "Oh, man, that was rough,'' she said with a big sigh. "Going into Duluth, you already know that it's a real small rink and it's pretty tight behind the nets.
spent her summers rehabbing after surgery. "This past summer, she didn't have to deal with that,'' Johnson said, "and you can see that she's more confident. She's just healthier than she has been the previous two years.'' Rigsby cited her out-of-season training and ac- knowledged, "I feel so much stronger.'' In mid-August, she won a couple of games for
the U.S. Under-22 national team in its sweep of Canada in Calgary, Alberta. In November, she will take part in the Four Nations Cup in Finland. The experience will be invaluable to her devel-
"The puck came around and I came out and stopped it. But I was trying to get out the way and I cut it short and hit the net and fell and the next thing I know the puck is in the net. "It was a pretty embarrassing moment. I can't say that I've ever done that before in a game.'' At least, it's out of her system, she agreed. And she was smiling when she said that. In fact, she couldn't quit smiling thinking about LaBahn and what the atmosphere will be like Friday night. "I don't think any of us were expecting it to be exactly like this,'' she admitted. "It has definitely exceeded our expectations. Some of the alums have said, 'You guys are really lucky it, enjoy it.'' Nothing might be more enjoyable than offensive fireworks. Goals create energy. And vice versa? "There's going to be a lot of energy in the build-
ing,'' Johnson said. And part of his message this week has been "look forward to Friday night's ex- perience.'' Everybody is.
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DAVID STLUKA
