---------------------- Date: Fri, 4 Apr 1997 09:16:37 -0500 From: Richard Hungerford Subject: Finland Women 10 - Norway 0 Thursday afternoon at the Kitchener Auditorium the Finns hammered Norway 10-0. Finland was trying to beat the goal difference and finish ahead of the United States and make it into the gold nedal game. The Finns used excellent skating and some lovely passing as they easily dusted Norway. Norway features some huge players, but none of them skate that well, and their pass leaves a lot to be desired. Norway was defending for the entire game. The woman of the match was Finland's Riika Nieminen. Whether she was rolling out of the corner and beating two or three defenders and scoring, or finding a mate at the backdoor with a terrific pass, Nieminen was sensational. Sri Krooks (NYorkU) used her explosive energy well as she she broke by Norway with her elegant moves. The line of Marianne Ihalainen, Petra Vaarakallio and Karoliina Rantamaki were marvelous together. They pulled off some of the best passes for Finland. Overall Finland should give Canada a tough go in the first semifinal on Saturday. _____________ / good shooting hungerf _____________/ ----------------------