URL:http://www.canoe.ca/HockeyWomen/mar30_wom.html

March 30, 1997

RE-STAKE THE CLAIM

By RYAN PYETTE -- Sun Media   KITCHENER, Ont. -- Redemption.
  No motivating factor looms larger as Team Canada dives head-first
into the Women's World Hockey Championships.
  Despite the conventional reasons to capture gold -- pride, passion,
a berth in the 1998 Nagano Olympics -- the overarching hunger for
Red-and-White success stems from the shocking loss suffered by the
men's squad last September.
  Remember Chris Chelios thrusting the World Cup over his head?
  The Maple Leaf withered a little that day.
  Since then, truckloads of disoriented Canadians have anxiously
travelled our home and native land wondering how we can restore our
claim to the game.
  A women's world championship would definitely supply some tasty
Triaminic for national puck fans, and may open millions of eyes to the
beauty of the sport.
  Interest in this tournament has soared, and not just because of Don
Cherry's efforts.
  In one particular scenario yesterday at the Kitchener Auditorium
ticket wicket, 53-year-old Toronto native Mary Noble purchased tickets
for her and her wide-eyed six-year-old granddaughter, Chelsea.
  "I want to show Chelsea what's available to her if she chases her
dreams," said Mary proudly. "I also want to show the players that I
fully support their efforts but, most of all, we're here to root for
Canada."
  Though the Canadian women have never lost at international play, the
team currently confronts a couple of hurdles in its search for a
fourth consecutive world title.
  France St. Louis, the high-scoring, 38-year-old superstar centre,
fractured her wrist during the Canadian championships. Determined to
play through the pain, St. Louis' vital goal production could be
compromised.
  Another major bombshell dropped on the Canadian camp this week when
Manon Rheaume, the world's most celebrated female goaltender, drew the
short straw in a photo-finish race for the final two roster
assignments.
  Vancouver native Danielle Dube and University of New Brunswick star
Leslie Reddon received the nod from head coach Shannon Miller to share
the puck-blocking duties.
  Not surprisingly, the monkey wrench in Canada's golden dreams
belongs to the usual suspects from the U.S.
  The Yanks are in admirable form after crushing the Russians 13-0 in
a final pre-tournament warmup. Finland constitutes the third pillar of
world women's hockey power, while China and Sweden round out the
likely medal contenders.
  Tournament organizers devised a pooling system where the
second-seeded Stars-and-Stripes head up Pool A with Norway, Finland
and Sweden. No. 1 seed Canada sits in Pool B, accompanied by China,
Russia and Switzerland.
  The Canadians battle the Swiss tomorrow, Russia on Tuesday, and
China on Thursday. All three games start 5:30 p.m. MST at the
Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. The Sports Network will broadcast the
tilt with Russia live.
  The Medal Round begins Saturday, and the World Championship game
takes place Sunday, 6 p.m. MST.
  Alberta is well-represented on the Great White North squad. Head
coach Shannon Miller calls Calgary home, and assistant coach Ray
Bennett hails from Red Deer.
  As for the players, another Calgarian, the young phenom Hayley
Wickenheiser, plays up front, while blueliners Fiona Smith and the
veteran sparkplug Judy Diduck reside in Edmonton and Sherwood Park,
respectively.
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