The North American hockey fan might shrug at this year’s relegation of 2006 Olympic silver medallist Sweden for the first time in women’s world championship history.
“I think before Vancouver there were only a few federations that really put money and effort in women’s hockey,” IIHF council member Zsuzsanna Kolbenheyer told The Canadian Press.Rogge’s statement perceived by many as a threat to boot women’s hockey from the Olympic Games galvanized powerful people in the sport.
Finland is within striking distance at times, most notably beating Canada for the first time two years ago in a preliminary-round game at the world championship. “I can tell you right now Canada and the U.S. have improved a lot since I started playing in 2010,” Canadian forward Rebecca Johnston said.“We put that pressure on our programs and each other to improve each day.
“The scores aren’t necessarily always indicative of the effort and the game that’s unfolding,” U.S. forward Hilary Knight said.