Yesterday was the second game for the women of Team USA and they had another great evening, taking down the team from Finland with a convincing 5 to 0 score. Once again, I am going to take you through my photographic journey from this game.
As I stated after the last game, I forgot to submit images to the team from the warm-up session, but this time I was on it.
I captured some of the fans...
...and great smiles from the athletes.
Because I shoot for the team, I was able to go onto the bench for some of the warm-up shots, which meant that I did not have to deal with the plexiglass issues. Nice!
I saw this Finish fan enter the arena. He was chanting and yelling and having a great time. Dressed like this, I had to get a shot of that for all of you (not for Team USA)!
This time, when the women entered the arena, I decided to use the new
Canon RF 7-14mm fisheye lens from down low. The lower I get, the larger and more dominant the athletes look.
I also remembered to get the "huddle shot" before the game. I went right behind the goal and tried to get as high as I could. I took this with the fisheye lens, but will likely try this again tomorrow with a
Canon RF 24-70mm lens to get a little closer.
I then ran (even though I am not supposed to) back to my shooting position. I almost always position myself on the side we shoot offensively for two periods. This way I get two periods of offense, but also get one period to focus on the goaltender and defense. As many of us know, good defense wins games.
I like looking for different views of the athletes, from the side and head-on like this.
If I get the puck in the shot, even better.
Whenever I see any of the skaters crashing the net, I hammer the shutter of the
Canon R1.
Good stuff.
Here is another wide shot taken with the
Canon RF 7-14mm fisheye lens. You can see that the glass is getting more scuffed up as more games are played here.
Oh, and I should mention, that unlike the last game, I am now using two
Canon R1 cameras. One with the
RF 70-200mm lens and one with the
Canon RF 7-14mm fisheye lens. I decided to switch from the
R6 MK III because as great as it is, for Olympic sports I need two faster and more responsive cameras. I will still be using the
R6 MK III for other photos, but not for fisheye shots on the glass.
I got the puck in the net, but wish I had gotten the shooter instead. Next time!
Hey, at least I got a little of the celebration.
This was definitely my favorite shot from the game, with Aerin Frankel stopping the puck. She only faced 11 shots, but since she delivered a shut-out, I wanted a solid shot of her doing her job. I love that she posted this as her leading shot on her Instagram account.
More fan reaction.
During this game, I moved around a little more, to see if I could get some different looks. I saw Aerin standing in her goal crease and liked this view. Something different. I took this shot at f/3.5 and 160mm to make sure she was in focus and everything else was not.
More shots...
...and more goal celebrations.
I like getting the curve of the stick, showing the power of their shot.
Almost another goal, just a little wide of the net.
Any time I can get different action shots, I am happy. This was just after a shot attempt.
Another point blank shot on goal.
Hillary Knight has tied the American goals record, and this would have been her record breaking score. It did not go in, but I was definitely hoping it would!
Intensity.
I captured the puck right in front of the Finish goaltender...
...another goal and celebration.
Hockey is definitely a physical sport and these women are so tough. I love showing that in my photos.
The game ended and all was good, with the women going 2 and 0 to start the Olympics.
Yes, this time around, I did remember to go into the mix zone to get some photos. Funny thing is...when I went to go in to shoot, I was told that photographers were not allowed. I had to talk to 3 different people to convince them that we are indeed allowed in there. This is what happens at each Olympics, as new people are running the venues every time, and they are not familiar with the rules. It is not their fault. There is a lot to learn.
Speaking of not knowing, last night I left my Team USA jacket in my locker at the secondary ice hockey arena, since I bought a Milano / Cortina 2026 jacket yesterday and wore that home. I was thinking that I would use the USA jacket again tomorrow at the next game. Then, late last night I found out that we are done at the secondary rink, and all future games are at the larger Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. I just had to make a two hour round trip just to get my jacket. I was so mad at myself that I did not sleep until 2am this morning.
I just picked up my jacket, and since I am right across from the long track speed skating arena, I think I will take a stab at that. I have to make lemonade from those lemons, right?!
Please excuse any typos. Normally I try to proof read everything before I post, but here at the Olympics, time is a commodity. I definitely miss some things. :)
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