Having been directly challenged by Julia, Popuri prepared some Hockey gear dropped off by her uncle, she'd never played outside her goal net even during selection trials for the Olympics.
Popuri could've played for both United States and Canada given that she has dual nationality due to her parents but chose her mother's Canadian side as it offered more opportunities to remain part time.
"I'm glad I'm against you first, we need you as a pro" Julia says watching Popuri take to the ice.
"I don't want to play pro Julia, nor do I want to marathon run full time, I can't live off sport as a career" Popuri says putting on a Calgary Flames jersey.
"First off, ew" Julia not impressed by Popuri's choice of NHL side. "Secondly I don't want you to waste your talents on a useless degree, you never let in a single goal when you played, you could even get the NHL talking" Julia pulls her visor down, Popuri followed as they circled the puck at center ice, once the horn sounded the face off began, the game was first to five goals and Julia made quick work out manoeuvring Poppy and scoring the first goal, Julia quickly followed with a second goal to put the pressure on Poppy.
"You were always sloppy with technique even in PeeWees" Julia fires a slap shot but Popuri catches the puck and fires back to score.
"You talk too much!" Popuri's eyes glow yellow as the normally pleasant Poppy gets serious, Popuri's speed increases as she starts to out skate Julia, Julia normally a center tries body checking but Popuri avoids it easily and slaps in another two goals.
"She doesn't even practice, how is she this good?" Julia ended up conceding another goal bringing it to match point, Julia tried spraying ice from her skates but Poppy just kept avoiding it, the attention Poppy was getting attracted a huge crowd, Julia fired her strongest shot but Poppy stops it dead with just her skate, Popuri finished with one final shot, Julia falling over to try and stop it but failed, Popuri wins.
Julia was disappointed to lose and felt dejected leaving the ice, "I still wish you'd reconsider"
Popuri held out her hand. "Good match, but I've made up my mind, I'll still be at the next winter games" Julia shook Poppy's hand as the crowd chanted Popuri's name.