URL:http://www.thestar.com/thestar/editorial/sports/970407SPD1_SP-NUCANADA7.html Toronto Star Home Page April 7, 1997 [photo] FRANK GUNN / CP WE DID IT AGAIN: Rebecca Fahey gives teammate Hayley Wickenheiser a big hug after Canada's thrilling 4-3 victory over U.S. in overtime last night. It was Canada's fourth straight world championship. Canada on top of world By Alan Adams - Toronto Star Sports Reporter KITCHENER - Color Canada gold, again. Canada's national women's team won its fourth straight world title in thrilling fashion last night when Nancy Drolet scored at 12:59 of overtime to beat the United States 4-3 before 6,247 fans at the Auditorium. _________________________________________________________________ Canada 4, U.S. 3 (OT) _________________________________________________________________ Drolet, who was knocked senseless earlier in the overtime period and had to be helped off the ice, banged in a rebound during a goalmouth scramble for her third goal of the night. The Canadian bench errupted into wild celebration while the Americans slumped on the ice and on the bench, reeling from the pain of coming so close. ``It's time to party,'' said Drolet. ``It's an incredible feeling.'' As the medals were bring presented, Cassie Campbell wrapped herself in a Canadian flag, as did some of her teammates. And when the anthem was played, the Canadians stood arm in arm at their blue line, singing in unison. Campbell, who was named a tournament all-star, tried to hold back the tears but gave up. ``This is so exciting,'' said Campbell, who also won a gold medal in 1994. ``To win it in front of a hometown crowd, well, it's the best.'' The world title was the fourth for Angela James. ``This one is a little different,'' she said. ``Winning it in overtime is special. Someone said, `Don't keep it close,' but we did.'' Vicky Sunohara, a member of the 1990 championship team, also made a big contribution - three of her four tournament goals were game-winners. ``It hit me when they played O Canada,'' she said. ``I felt it again. I felt it like I felt it in 1990. It is awesome. But we never had any doubt.'' The women's title capped another successful year for Canadian hockey that also included the country's fifth straight world junior title and a win at the inaugural World University Cup. The only championship not realized was the World Cup, which belongs to the Americans. They dealt Canada's hockey psyche a blow last September by beating the favored Canadians. At least the Canadian women can head to the 1998 Nagano Olympics without redemption on their mind, which can't be said for the NHLers, who will participate in the Winter Games for the first time in February. The Canadian women have now won 20 consecutive games on the world stage, and the latest victory was a fitting way to end a widely successful tournament. It was clear from the start of the game that the two teams didn't like each other. The Canadians went ahead 3-2 just 11 seconds into the third period when Drolet batted a waist-high rebound into the Yankee net. The Americans protested that Drolet's stick was high and the goal should be disallowed but their complaints were in vain. But Canada's elation was short-lived. Just over two minutes later, the Americans caught the defending champions sitting back on their heels and tied it on Katie King's goal at 2:36. Drolet opened the scoring in the first period while Angela James connected in the second. The Americans got second-period goals from A.J. Mleczko and Stephanie O'Sullivan. The Auditorium was packed to the rafters and organizers said the championship match was the highest-grossing game ever played at the arena. The gate was $127,085. Contents copyright © 1996, 1997, The Toronto Star. User interface, selection and arrangement copyright © 1996, 1997 Torstar Electronic Publishing Ltd.