=====================================
            WOMEN'S IIHF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 1994
            ====================================
 
First I would like to thank Robin Lock for passing on the
results etc. to Hockey-L: merci!
 
The level of hockey at WWC 94 was higher than I had expected.
Team Canada, USA and Finland all played some excellent hockey.
I would also note that it was more rough than I had expected or
wanted.  Team China, Sweden, Norway, Suisse and Germany were all
way below the top three teams.  Those teams reminded me of mid
to low level ECAC Women's League play.  On the other hand, Team
Canada was superb.  I could not get enough of them.  I found I
was attending all of the Team Canada practices and some of the
Finland and USA practices.
 
In the end, Team Canada deserved to win their third WWC in a row.
With the talent they have in players like Heaney (easily the best
defender I have ever seen, in any league!), Goyette (a wonderfully
fast striker with all the moves), Nystrom, Page, Diduck, James ...
Canada just has too big an edge in talent.
 
Team USA was a disappointment to me.  I have seen most of these
players play a lot better.  I was also disturbed by the goon
attitude of some of the players.  I just feel these players
deserved a better style of play, so as to use their talents more
and give Canada a real game.
 
Team Finland was the delight of the WWC in the early games.  Their
marvelous swarm attack (like one used by Providence College) was
great to watch.  They also have a very special player in Riikka
Nieminen (great skater, passer and scorer, and gets back on defense
too!).  Finland lost its way when they stopped using their big
attack during their matches with the "big guys".
 
Overall, it was a wonderful week.  Running down the tunnel between
the 1980 and 1932 rinks to catch another game or practice just was
great fun.  It was also inspirational to see Team Canada Women play
as well as they did.  It brought back for me what I love about
hockey.  Merci Team Canada!
 
            Lake Placid, New York
            April 11th - 17th
 
            POOL A  W L T P Overall   POOL B         W L T P Overall
            Canada  3 0 0 6  5 0 0    United States  3 0 0 6  4 1 0
            China   1 1 1 3  2 2 1    Finland        2 1 0 4  3 2 0
            Sweden  1 1 1 3  3 1 1    Suisse         1 2 0 2  2 3 0
            Norway  0 3 0 0  1 4 0    Germany        0 3 0 0  0 5 0
 
DATE           TEAMS                             TIME            RINK
 
Mon Apr 11th   Sweden       3 - Norway       1   2:00 pm         32
               Canada       7 - China        1   4:00 pm         80
               Finland     17 - Germany      1   6:00 pm         32
               USA          6 - Suisse       0   8:00 pm         80
 
Tue Apr 12th   Sweden       4 - China        4   3:00 pm         80
               Finland     13 - Suisse       0   4:00 pm         32
               Norway       0 - Canada      12   7:00 pm         80
               Germany      0 - USA         16   8:00 pm         32
 
Thu Apr 14th   Germany      1 - Suisse       2   1:00 pm         32
               Canada       8 - Sweden       2   3:00 pm         80
               China        8 - Norway       1   4:00 pm         32
               USA          2 - Finland      1   7:00 pm         80
 
Fri Apr 15th   Canada       4 - Finland      1   5:00 pm A1-B2   80
               USA         14 - China        3   8:00 pm B1-A2   80
 
Sat Apr 16th   Sweden       7 - Germany      1   8:00 pm A3-B4   80
               Norway       7 - Suisse       4   8:00 pm B3-A4   32
 
Sun Apr 17th   Suisse       4 - Germany      3   9:00 am 7th pl  32
               Finland      8 - China        1  11:15 am Bronze  80
               Sweden       6 - Norway       3   1:00 pm 5th pl  32
Championship   Canada       6 - USA          3   3:00 pm Gold    80
 
The next WWC in 1996 will be held "somewhere" in Canada.
 
 _____________
/
 good shooting
 rhun
_____________/