URL:http://www2.torstar.com/sportswire/amhockey/HKY-Wmn-Worlds-China-.html

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Late breaking SportsWire Story last updated on Sat Apr 5 21:40:29 EST 1997 
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United States 6, China 0 

-Shelley Looney had a goal and two assists as the United States
breezedto a 6-0 victory over China on Saturday in the women's world
hockeychampionship.

The United States, silver medallists in three previous worlds, will
againtry to take the gold medal from Canada, which beat Finland
2-1.China and Finland play for the bronze.

``We'll look forward to playing a team that has many strengths and
we'lllook forward to trying to expose their weaknesses,'' said
goalieU.S. Erin Whitten.

The Chinese, who have a reputation for intense physical play, were
unusuallyquiet with only 14 shots. China's Guo Hong had 32 saves.

Stephanie O'Sullivan opened the scoring on a power play at 12:05 of
thefirst period.

Looney assisted on that goal and on Tara Mounsey's late in the
period.She and Karyn Bye added goals late in the second. Laurie
Bakerand Gretchen Ulion scored early in the third.

The four semifinal teams, and the winner of today's Russia-Sweden
contest,qualify for the 1998 Winter Olympics at Nagano, the first
gamesto include women's hockey. The host country, Japan, gets
automaticentry.

KITCHENER, Ont. (CP)

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