Identical twins Monique and Jocelyne Lamoureux, 20, grew up in Grand Forks, N.D., competing with their four older brothers for everything from household bragging rights in hockey and soccer to calling "shotgun" on family car trips.
That competitiveness helped them carve two roster spots on the U.S. women's national hockey team, where they play on the same line (as forwards) and are almost certain to be named to the U.S. 2010 Olympic team on Dec. 17.
The Lamoureuxes get to learn from head coach Mark Johnson, the "Miracle on Ice" star center who led the 1980 team in scoring in Lake Placid.
"He's a great coach," Jocelyne said. "He's got so much knowledge of the game, it's a treat. He'll show us tricks of the trade. Not every coach can do that."
Now into the second half of the pre-Olympic tour, only in the past few weeks have their teammates been able to tell them apart. When asked how they're different, Mo mulls the question for several seconds.
"I hate mustard," she says, "and she likes it."
They grew up playing boys hockey until high school, when they attended Minnesota's Shattuck-St. Mary's school. The pair, known for their strength on the puck, wouldn't mind if women played checking hockey, but said give credit to the non-check game where players must control their momentum.
"The angling aspect -- it's a lot harder than some people might think," Mo says. "There's more fluidity to the game."
Both are looking forward to playing in the Vancouver Games.
"It'll be amazing," Jocelyne says. "You can put hockey anywhere in Canada and it'll be great. It'll be awesome to play in that kind of atmosphere."
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My cloning experiments are working out very well
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