From among the many that deserve mention, some of the more notable were goaltender Jen Price who carried the load and supplied 3 shutouts in 4 big games, team captain Lori Parker rock solid on defence, along with fellow blue-liner Britni Smith. Sue Brogno had 6 goals in 6 games, while Michelle Binning contributed 3 G and 3 A for her 6 points.Cassandra Sparks chipped in 5 points, and veteran Linda Milani 4 points. Women have been playing in organized leagues in Canada for 24 years, and this moment has been a long time coming for the many involved in the sport in that country. Goaltender Jennifer Price of Canada allowed only one goal in the 5 games that she played. Slovak defender Ivana Gajdosova was a force on the blue-line and provided a few booming slapshot goals as well through the event. Canadian Britni Smith was solid on defence and garnered votes from her peers for this honour. The forwards included tournament top scorer Jana Kapustova (SVK) who had 7 points, Bettina Evers (GER) who factored on almost every goal her team scored, and Renata Mastna (CZE) who scored some big goals for her country.
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TOURNAMERNT INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
The Fair Play Cup was awarded to Austria for being the team least penalized. The Most Valuable Goalkeeper was Petra Smardova from the Czech Republic , who brilliant and was a main factor in the success of her team. Lisa Bac of the USA was selected MV Defenceman with her 4 point performance. MV Forward went to Canadian Sue Brogno who amassed 6 goals in 6 games, while the Tournament’s MVP went to her teammate Jennifer Price for a practically unbeatable performance throughout the event and in the all important final.
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Saturday June 9th 2007 – Championship Final
GOLD CAN 2 : 0 SVK
Canada and Slovakia only met a few hours before, and the Canadians started this game with the same dominance they displayed at the tail end of the previous game. Tammy Cote pounced on her first chance on a beautiful one-on-one and deke of the goaltender Martina Frantova. Within a few minutes Robin Thompson put Canadaup by 2 goals. The Slovaks picked up their tempo in the second and third periods but the oppositions defence was smothering, and what passed through was handled in a stellar fashion by goaltender Jennifer Price. Canada claimed the first Womens World Championship!
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Saturday June 9th 2007 – Game #5
SVK 0 : 3 CAN
Both teams needed only a tie to advance to the final, however, they played as if each were desperate for a win, applying offensive pressure at a maximum. The highly skilled clubs displayed their abilities on defense as well and only one goal was scored in the opening frame, Michelle Binning of Canadamanaging that feat. Slovakiaseemed less determined to keep up the pace in the second period and it cost them two goals in rapid succession on one shift by Susan Laska taking advantage of miscues that her speed produced. Jen Price kept the door shut in the net and Canadafinished the round-robin surrendering only one goal. Canada is set for the final, while Slovakia must wait for the outcome of the CZE v USA game.
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Friday June 8th 2007 – Game #4
CAN 1 : 1 CZE
The early predictions proved themselves out with the top 4 clubs producing ties against each other on this day. Canada held a decided advantage in offensive play but could not penetrate the solid Czech defence and brilliant goaltending of Pavla Kopecka until the second period on a score by Sue Brogno. Laura Peskova of the Czech Republic countered on the attack a minute later tying the game, and raising the spirits of her teammates. The two teams traded opportunities through the balance of the game and into the dying minutes great scoring chances occurred at both ends, Jennifer Price of Canada making a sensational save at the conclusion. In equal in points with Slovakia (7), and a commanding lead in the +/- tie-break, Canada is in fine form heading into the next day and an early morning date with its co-leader. Czechia will require a big win over the USA and a big Canadian loss in order to find its way into the final.
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Friday June 8th 2007 – Game #3
CAN 9 : 0 GER
Canada started very concentrated in this game. Sue Brogno oppend the scoring at 2:39 with her first goal in this game, adding two more later on. Germany defended with a lot of spirit, but the very experienced Canadian team scored two additional goals in the first period. In the second part the Canadians played even better, celebrating five more goals taking a 8:0 lead into the second break. The last period saw a German team getting more and more able to handle the Canadian offence. German goalkeeper Stefanie Theismann and her defence allowed only one goal in the last 12 minutes. Team Canada celebrated their third shut-out in a row, while their offence had contributions from 17 different players. This evening Canada will face the Czech Republic in a crucial match. With a win, the Canadians can guarantee a spot in the Gold medal final. Germany , in search of their first win, will meet the strong Slovaks.
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Thursday June 7th 2007 – Game #2
AUT 0 : 9 CAN
Austria held Canada off the scoreboard until midway through the first period when the Canadians erupted with 3 goals in just over 1 minute, Cassie Sparks, Sue Brogno, and Tammy Cote scoring. The Canadians maintained an even tempo through the game adding 3 more goals in the second, 2 by Michelle Binning, and another 3 in the third, including a second from Brogno. Canadais now 2-0-0 as they ready for Germanyin the morning. Austriashowing signs of improvement hope to keep building on the learning process as Czechia awaits them next.
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Thursday June 7th 2007 – Game #1
CAN 3 : 0 USA
And so it begins…at 3:26 into the game, Linda Milani of Canada scored the first official goal of the inaugural WWC, on a pass from Michelle Binning. Milani is a long time player of street hockey in Canada and a worthy athlete for this historic goal. Canada dominated play through much of the match, and the fine goaltending of Allessandra Ciambra kept the American side within reach. Cassie Sparks added an additional goal in the first period, and Vicky Wells completed the troika mid-way through the second. Team USA improved as the game went along keeping their opponents off the score sheet throughout the second half of the match, but Canadian goaltender Jen Price would not let the shutout escape her firm grip.