URL:http://www.ottawacitizen.com/columnists/scanlan/970408/953818.html

Tuesday 8 April 1997

WOMEN'S HOCKEY THE BIG WINNER IN KITCHENER
                                    
Those of us who witnessed the first world summit in Ottawa seven years
ago had our eyes opened. That was the year Canada was powerful in
pink.

Now, through the wonders of national television, it has become obvious
to all, endorsed by none other than the Don of Hockey Night in Canada,
Grapes Cherry: Women's hockey, at least when a few choice nations are
involved, is a fabulous show. At its best, unsullied by
professionalism and league commitments, the women's game offers a
unique brand of passion and fury on ice.

Then, there's this bonus for viewers -- women's hockey allows, even
encourages by its rules -- passing, playmaking and skating skills to
show through. It is a glaring contrast to the typical clutch and grab,
dump and chase, trap-your-neighbour philosophy of the NHL.

For the uninitiated, Sunday night's dramatic Canada-USA overtime
final, aired on prime time TSN, couldn't have been a finer showcase.
The first period was especially entertaining -- freewheeling, back and
forth, with the "non-contact" status pushed to the limits.

For the longest time, the game held a painful familiarity for Canadian
hockey fans. It seemed as though a certain nightmare were destined to
be replayed one more time. Déjà vu, déjà vu ... an early lead by Team
Canada, a third-period surge by Team USA, a controversial goal
involving a high stick (this time by a Canadian, not a U.S. player and
this time blatant), the tying goal by Team USA ...

And then the bad dream of the 1996 men's World Cup of hockey ended in
favour of an equally familiar scene: The Canadian women winning
another close one, the closest yet, the Americans bravely bearing up
to another wild celebration, ears ringing once more with that national
anthem they've come to despise over time.

It's been written for months that other nations, but especially the
U.S., are closing the gap behind Canada's female hockey dynasty. Gaps
don't get any more narrow than OT in the world championship final, on
the heels of a sobering one-goal victory over Finland in the
semifinals. Canada may have won the battle, its fourth gold medal in
as many worlds, but the war is the 1998 Olympic Games of Nagano, when
women's hockey joins the five-ring circus for the first time.

Canada's program is known for its use of inspirational videos. But I
can't imagine stronger motivation for America's women in the runup to
Nagano than the memory of standing on the ice in Kitchener amid the
Canadian euphoria. It will fuel fires that might otherwise burn low
during those dreary morning skating sessions when the sticks and pucks
are put away.

Cyclists and runners will tell you it is always easier coming from
behind, eyeing the leader, marking her and then reeling her in. It
would be Canada's tragedy if the reeling process is completed in Japan
next February.

Still, the Canadian women will draw strength from feeling breath on
the back of their necks, from their past successes and, of course,
from the Games themselves. It oughta be a war, indeed.

The real winner in Kitchener, to feed a cliché, was women's hockey.
There is something remarkable, on this continent especially, about the
respect women have for the game and the fervour with which they play
it. The sacrifices of money, jobs, time and personal health have been
well established in recent weeks. Above all, you can't help but be
struck by how much these women love hockey.

There has never been a better women's worlds, never bigger crowds to
see them. That should make it easier for TV to carry more games next
time.

It's finally happening in this country. Female hockey names are
becoming household names -- names like James, St. Louis, Wickenheiser
and Drolet. The women's game is growing and aren't we all, having
moved past the day a female player had to have magazine cover
potential to get attention.

Beyond North America and Finland, roster depth remains a problem in
the women's game but let's not forget the first worlds took place this
decade. It's been quite a seven-year ride.

Read previous columns at http://www.ottawacitizen.com

Touchline: To hear Wayne Scanlan's weekly sports commentary, call
721-1990, code 2667. It's a free call [15]Email:
wscanlan@thecitizen.southam.ca

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Copyright 1997 The Ottawa Citizen