URL:http://www2.torstar.com/sportswire/amhockey/HKY-Women-Worlds-Nor-.html _________________________________________________________________ Late breaking SportsWire Story last updated on Tue Apr 1 15:40:11 EST 1997 _________________________________________________________________ United States 7 Norway 0 Shelley Looney scored two goals and was named her team's player of the game as the United States opened the women's world hockey championship Monday with a 7-0 romp over Norway. Stephanie O'Sullivan, Laurie Baker, Cammi Granato, Kelly O'Leary and Gretchen Ulion also scored for the United States, which outshot Norway 52-10. Erin Whitten and Sarah Tueting shared goaltending duties and, given the rarity of Norwegian offensive forays, merely had to stand in the crease to get the shutout. Erika Wagner, Norway's goaltender, was named her country's player of the game and received a rousing ovation from the 3,000 spectators for keeping the U.S. total to single digits. Canada has won the three previous women's world hockey championships. The United States is considered the top threat to end that streak. The Americans play Finland today in Brantford, Ont. Five of the eight countries competing at the worlds will earn trips to the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. KITCHENER, Ont. (CP) __________________ SportsWire