Your team’s moment has finally come. You’ve worked all year to get to this one game. Your season is on the line. While excitement undoubtedly fills the locker room, odds are nerves have managed to sneak their way into your pre-game skate, too.

How in the world are you going to handle the pressure of the big game?

“I think you have to put the pressure aside. You can’t let it affect you,” suggests Ryan Carter, forward with the Minnesota Wild who encounters high-pressure games at least 82 times per year – more when his team is playoff bound. “It’s kind of fun, and I actually enjoy playing under pressure. You never know what can happen.”

Carter has dealt with his fair share of high-pressure games. For starters, his name is engraved on the Stanley Cup as a member of the 2007 Anaheim Ducks (talk about an intense game). He’s gone from playing in front of 18,000 fans at the 2001 state high school hockey tournament, to heated WCHA rivalry games at Minnesota State, to 18,000-plus regularly on the NHL stage.

Needless to say, the White Bear Lake native has learned how to navigate the game-day stress. Here are Carter’s five tips to help you to do the same when the big game comes around.

Be a big-time player

Instead of letting the pressure stand in your way, spin it to work in your favor. Use it as motivation.

“Coaches always told me that big-time players play in big-time games, so growing up I always thought that the biggest games I needed to be my best,” says Carter, who must have listened. He tallied six points against rival Hill-Murray – one of the biggest games of his high school career – en route to the Bears’ 2001 state tournament berth. “If you can, find a way to let it help motivate you in that way. That’s key. Tell yourself that you’re the guy suited for the pressure.”

Turn your nerves into excitement and confidence by amping yourself up for the pressure. Sure it’s a big game, but get excited to be a part of that. Just like the fans in the bleachers are cheering you on, cheer yourself on and motivate yourself to play your very best for them, your team and yourself.

Remind yourself what you’re good at

What is the best aspect of your game? Maybe you’re a speedster on the ice, or maybe setting the table is your forte. No matter what element of your game is your best, use it and use it a lot.

“Be realistic with yourself and tell yourself what it is that you’re good at,” Carter says. “While you’re sitting on the bench, prepare yourself with those reminders. If you’re good at forechecking, make sure you get out there and get a good forecheck in right off the bat. If you’re really good at defense, make a good defensive play. Whatever it is, do something positive and get yourself going; feel good about yourself going in to the game.”

While your brain and body are focused on performing your best skills, the nerves of playing in the game can disappear. Also, once you remind yourself what you excel at, your normal mindset is cleared for return.

Play your game

So the team starts playing well – really well – in the game but your team can’t seem to find a goal. Or maybe it’s the exact opposite and most of the first period is in your team’s zone. Either way, players can often be tempted to change their game and game strategy.

Don’t.

As Herb Brooks reminded his players during the 1980 ‘Miracle on Ice’ against the Soviet Union: “Play your game.”

“Sometimes in big-pressure games, and over time, you change your game, which can be good and bad,” says Carter. “I think if you change your game too much, especially under the pressure, it will actually hurt the way you play and perform in that game.”

Find your game and stick with it. Don’t get too focused on the score, good or bad, and instead worry about if the team is performing as a unit, and at their very best.

Be a team

What if the pressure doesn’t get to you? Then help out your teammates who might not be as calm, cool and collected as you. After all, if the whole team is prepared together, it will increase the chance of having a great game.

“You all have to find your confidence,” says Carter. “Whatever the team does well together, go out and do it well. Maybe you’re a skating team, so go out early and outskate the team you’re playing against.

“Again, it’s important to calm yourself – individually and as a team – by thinking about what you do well. Go out early and do that.”

Remember to have fun

At the end of the final buzzer, no matter which side of it you come out on, remember that it boils down to love and fun in the game. If you go out and have fun, chances are the pressure will remove itself.

“High pressure games can be tough,” says Carter, “but if you remember what’s really important out there – your teammates, your parents and just playing hockey – you’ll realize that it’s just another game; another chance to prove yourself and another chance to improve.”