Germany lost to Canada before the face off

Watching the Olympic hockey game between Canada and Germany tonight was saddening. At the Olympic level, every athlete is exemplary in their respective sport. They have trained their bodies to perfection. Players have hone their game and the game plan by painful repetition. Unfortunately though, the winning of an event is done not by the body, but by the mind. It was apparent tonight, in a very visible way, that to a man the German hockey team did not believe that it could beat team Canada, or that it should even bother trying.

Hockey moves so fast and is so intense in its play that there can be no room for doubt. Every stride has to be the right stride. Every pass has to be the right pass. The players have very little to no time to take action. They can't stop and think about it lest they take a hip check to the boards. Indecision in hockey, as in life, has serious consequences.

There is no substitute for preparation, but boldness and confidence are required to give life to the preparation. Preparation builds confidence. The elements are intertwined. Winning is in the preparation and in the belief in one's ability to execute. The Germans just didn't believe. In hockey, as in life, you have to believe.