With only three weeks to go until nationals and little time on the ice, the duo plan each step for victory. They're practicing inside the Cool Sports Icearium in Farragut.
Oddly enough, a personal tragedy brought them to East Tennessee.
Their coach, Olympian Peter Oppegard, is originally from Knoxville. Instead of celebrating his parent's 50th wedding anniversary, he is mourning a loss.
"My mother had liver disease," said Oppegard. "She was battling, and she lost that three days ago."
Friday, he attended practice before heading to the funeral.
"That is something that my mom instilled in all of us. You do a good job of it and do it well," he added.
