1997 IIHF Women's World Championship

1997 IIHF Women's World Championship
Tournament details
Host country Canada
Venue(s)Brantford, Brampton, Hamilton, Kitchener, London, Mississauga, North York (in 7 host cities)
DatesMarch 31 – April 6, 1997
Opened byRoméo LeBlanc
Teams8
Final positions
Champions  Canada (4th title)
Runner-up  United States
Third place  Finland
Fourth place China
Tournament statistics
Games played20
Goals scored129 (6.45 per game)
Attendance60,418 (3,021 per game)
Scoring leader(s)Finland Riikka Nieminen 10 points
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The 1997 IIHF Women's World Championships was held March 31 – April 6, 1997, in seven Canadian cities all in the Province of Ontario.[where?] Team Canada won their fourth consecutive gold medal at the World Championships defeating the United States, however this time the United States took Canada in the closest final so far, losing in overtime. Finland picked up their fourth consecutive bronze medal, with a win over China who made the Semi-Final for the second consecutive year.[1]

This tournament also served as the qualifier for the Nagano Olympics, with the top five finishers joining host Japan. Sweden defeated first Switzerland, then Russia, in the consolation round to join the four semi-finalists in the Olympics.

  1. ^ "1997 - IIHF Women's World Championship".