URL:http://www.southam.com/kitchenerwaterloorecord/news/news1.html The Record CANADA CONQUERS ALL By Christine Rivet Record staff Its spirit all but broken by the resilient Americans, a collapsing Team Canada needed every last push from a capacity crowd at Kitchener's Dom Cardillo Arena on Sunday night.Some people might say they won their fourth consecutive women's world hockey title because of their dogged determination or theirCanadian grit.ButTeam Canadacaptain StacyWilson said she's convinced the crowd of 6,247 willed Canada to its 4-3 overtime victory over the Americans. "The crowd has been here all week for us. Even during our lopsided wins, they always stayed to the end," said a breathless Wilson of Moncton, N.B., a Canadian flag draped around her shoulders after the ice marathon. "We had to reward the crowd. We weren't going to lose. We had 7,000 people on our side." The Canadian women have now recorded 20 consecutive game victories at world tournaments, though the footsteps are getting louder. On Sunday night, the Canadians often looked dreadful in their breakout patterns and were, for the most part, outplayed by the Americans. Since their 2-1 semifinal scare against the Finns on Saturday, Canadian head coach Shannon Miller has pulled an inspirational team video off the shelf twice to show to the team during game intermissions. If that weren't enough, the team passed around championship rings from past world victories in 1990, 1992 and 1994. And then assistant captain Cassie Campbell doled out tiny brass hearts to be strung around each player's neck in time for Sunday's gold-medal thriller. But once the Canadian women finally cleared the ice and filed into their jubilant dressing room early this morning, they talked about their own personal sacrifices. However, mostly they talked about the crowd. "The fans were just so incredibly loyal all week long. If we didn't have those fans tonight, I don't think we could have won," said winger Lori Dupuis, one of a handful of Canucks who soldiered on despite injuries. Dupuis, of Cornwall, stuffed her swollen left foot into her skate on Saturday and Sunday after suffering a suspected broken big toe during Friday's practice. Campbell and winger Danielle Goyette played in spite of painful shoulder injuries, and the oldest team member, centre France St. Louis, 38, lasted the entire seven-day event with a broken wrist and a cast up to her elbow. "People talk about all the sacrifices we've made," said Dupuis, who found a quiet corner in Canada's champagne-soaked dressing room to reflect on her first world championship. "Some of us have given up good jobs or neglected our education. We've left behind our boyfriends and husbands for this," said Dupuis. "But it is so worth it. It's the greatest feeling." _________________________________________________________________ ©Copyright Kitchener-Waterloo Record 1997 Kitchener-Waterloo Record Online