Prince William and Kate Middleton Visit Hockey Country

July 6, 2011— -- The royal couple continued to charm the local residents of Yellowknife Tuesday as they took part in Canada's favorite sport -- hockey.

Prince William, who is famously athletic, seemed to be out of his element. He took three shots on an unobstructed goal during a street game with local players but couldn't land the puck in the net.

The players encouraged his attempts, though.

"He looked like he knew what he was doing," Calvin Lomen, 20, told the Associated Press. "I heard him say he doesn't know how to play, but it seemed like he had a natural talent if he practiced more."

The prince even asked the young goalie to let him get a free shot in. Lomen said he really tried not to block the shot, but somehow Lomen saved what was supposed to be an easy in.

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"He said, 'Please let the ball go into the net,'" Lomen said. "But it hit my stick instead, and I wound up saving it."

One of the shots was aimed straight at the cameras and reporters stationed right behind the goal. The prince cheerfully laughed off his bad attempts.

Kate, dressed in a cream-colored linen three-quarter sleeve dress by designer Malene Birger and high nude heels, decided not to take any shots on goal. She laughed off some of the calls from the crowd to play, and instead dropped the ceremonial puck to start off the game.

Afterward, the couple was presented with two Olympic team Canada hockey jerseys, printed with the last name "Cambridge" on the back. Kate, who has been popular among the crowds of young women and children, was presented with No. 1, while the future king was given No. 2.

It seemed the majority of the 19,000 residents of Yellowknife, the capital of Canada's sparsly populated Northwest Territories, were all out to catch a glimpse of the charming couple. As the tour continued, the two seemed to be getting even more comfortable with the crowds and cameras.

William, who has charmed the bilingual crowds throughout the tour by speaking French, also said a few words in two tribal tongues that are spoken throughout the territory.

"This place is what Canada is all about -- vast, open beauty, tough, resilient, friendly peoples, true nature, true humanity," said the prince as Kate sat beside him. "We've already sensed the extraordinary potential of this region, and the irrepressible spirit of adventure that marks the people of the territories and defines the land. We are so excited to be here."

He was given diamond encrusted polar bear cuff links and a matching brooche as a token from the people of Yellowknife.

Later today the royal couple will visit the nothern Alberta town of Slave Lake, which was heavily damaged by a wildfire in May. The two will then have the rest of the day to rest before moving on to Calgary on Thursday.

The duke and duchess will then finish their tour of Canada on Friday before leaving for California, where they are expected to visit Los Angeles' Skid Row. There they will call on a nonprofit academy that has given poor children the opportunity to attend free classes in the performing arts.