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21.02.2006 - Hockey: Canadian Gold

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Hockey: Canadian Gold

Feb 21 2006
Gold goes to Canada, the only true super-power of world women’s hockey. In the final it overtakes Sweden with 4-1 (2-0/2-0/0-1) who struggles and opposes a very respectable, active and brave resistance.
The Swedes, already defeated by the North Americans by 8-1 in the preliminary round, do their best in defence, always trying to build actions, but the Canadians, at least in two occasions, do not give way.

Charline Labonte and Kim Martin are the goalies defending the two goals. A Canadian “Two-on-one” takes place in the first period between 3’15” and 12’13” with the sharp top-goal scorer Gillian Apps (7 goals and 7 assists for the whole tournament) who conquering the puck, moves cutting the rink and with a diagonal reverse shot surprises Kim Martin, who with Caroline Ouellette (5 goal and 4 assists) scores on a perfect assist by Jayna Hefford. It was difficult for the Swedes to even approach the Canadian goals, the North Americans do not yield anything in defence and constantly attack (at the 14’ the shots are 10 to 2). Another terrible “Two-on-one” in the second period between 8’58” and 10’27”: attack by Wickenheiser and assist for the winning shot by the terrible sniper Cherie Piper (7 goals and 8 assists); action at the far end by the Botterill and assist on the Hefford’s stick (3 goals + 4 assists) scores. A striking 4-0 with the same number of players. At minute 15 the shots towards the goal were 22 to 4. The final period marks the remarkable Swedish attempt for a counteroffensive, culminating in the very powerful goal by Gunilla Andersson who scores through Labonte from the blue line. And then again Sweden that grazes at least three occasions to double the score. The Canadians of the head-coach Melody Davidson anyway triumph as the masters of the match, closing their Olympic tournament with 6 victories in 6 matches, 52 goals made and only 2 suffered. A magnificent hockey machine.

USA conquers the bronze medal beating Finland 4-0 and showing a clear supremacy during the match from beginning to end. The Americans practically guarantee the Olympic bronze after 11 minutes in the initial face-off: 3-0 with the goals by Kelly Stephens and by an unmarkable Katie King (2 goals). In the second period Katie King reaches the 4-0 which will be the final. Then some attack actions by the Finns, but without results.
The women’s Olympic tournament decrees the ascent of Sweden to the top, who finally enters overbearingly after years of sitting between the fourth and third place in the world rankings. Finland needs only one match for the podium, confirming its position in the top-four while the Americans stay under their standard. An interesting game was offered by Russia, which finishes anyway sixth behind the solid Germany, destined to grow towards the top-four. Then Switzerland gains seventh place with a 11-0 against Italia, who needs a lot of experience and many confrontations at these levels.

Renzo Gilodi

Media All-Star Team
Goaltender - Kim Martin (Sweden)
Defence - Angela Ruggiero (USA)
Defence - Carla MacLeod (Canada)
Forward - Maria Rooth (Sweden)
Forward - Hayley Wickenheiser (Canada)
Forward - Gillian Apps (Canada)

Directorate best player awards
Best goaltender - Kim Martin (Sweden)
Best defenseman - Angela Ruggiero (USA)
Best forward - Hayley Wickenheiser (Canada)

Tournament MVP
Hayley Wickenheiser (Canada)
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