y a w h g i h y k s R - E o L t - T S a I e H S W NORTH WOMEN’S HOCKEY SCHEDULE VANCOUVER » Day 2 » Day 4 » Day 6 » Day 9 Semifinals Saturday, Feb. 13 Monday, Feb. 15 Wednesday, Saturday, Feb. 20 12-2:30 p.m. 12–2:30 p.m.,Sweden 2:30-5 p.m.,Canada Feb. 17 Playoffs (Canada Hockey Place) 2:30-5 p.m.,Canada vs.Switzerland (UBC) vs.Switzerland (UBC) 2:30-5 p.m. (UBC) 5-7:30 p.m. English 5-7:30 p.m.,Canada 7-9:30 p.m.,Sweden vs.Sweden (UBC) 7-9:30 p.m.(UBC) Bay (Canada Hockey Place) GM Place: vs.Slovakia (Canada vs.Slovakia (UBC) 7-9:30 p.m.,Slovakia 7A Hockey Place) vs.Switzerland (UBC) » Day 11 » Day 14 Hockey » Day 5 Monday, Feb. 22 Bronze-medal game » Day 3 Tuesday, Feb. 16 » Day 7 Playoffs 2:30-5 p.m.,U.S. Thursday, Feb. 18 11-1:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 14 2-4:30 p.m.(UBC) BC Place: 99 12-2:30 p.m.,U.S. vs.Russia (UBC) 2:30-5 p.m.,U.S. (Canada Hockey Place) Medal ceremonies, 7-9:30 p.m.(UBC) n Gold-medal game Opening and e vs.China (UBC) 7-9:30 p.m.,Finland vs.Finland (UBC) i closing ecermonies L 3:30-6 p.m. 4:30-7 p.m.,Finland vs.China (UBC) 7-9:30 p.m.,China a d vs.Russia (UBC) vs.Russia (UBC) (Canada Hockey Place) a n a VANCOUVER C 99 DECONSTRUCTING THE GAMES Airport RICHMOND N WOMEN’S HOCKEY: Will it be gold? Or 99silver? 0 KM 5 There are differences between the men’s and women’s games, including rules about body-checking and face masks — and the certainty that Canada will finish first or second. Canwest News Service writer Steve Ewen looks at the sport: 1.NORTH 2.PROTECTION 3.ON BODY- AMERICAN CHECKING Full face masks are DOMINANCE mandatory in women’s hockey. Former national Body-checking is illegal in team star Cassie Campbell- women’s hockey — but body Twelve world-championship Pascall says players grow up contact isn’t. Campbell-Pascall tournaments have been held playing that way, so they says she’d like to see referees and the Canadians and don’t find them restrictive. more consistently allow Americans have met in every a player “rubbing out an title game. The Canadians “I’ve heard people say that opponent along the boards.” won the first eight crowns, they can’t get into the game “I think they need to be more but the Americans responded that much because they lax on plays like that,” she says. by capturing three of the past can’t recognize the girls four, including the 2009 title through their masks,” Campbell-Pascall is among last April in Hameenlinna, says Campbell-Pascall, those who think the quality Finland. now a hockey analyst of the sport could improve if Canada is the two-time for CBC and TSN.“I don’t buy body checking was allowed. defending Olympic champion. that. Maybe it looks a little She doesn’t buy into the The U.S. finished third behind minor hockey, but to me, theory that it would hurt the Sweden in Turin four years ago, it’s a non-issue. I’ve never development of sport, marking the only time a bought that argument you especially at young ages, North American team failed get from guys that you can’t but she does think it would to finish in the top two at a see.” be difficult to implement. major competition. “Do you just throw it in with everybody right away or do you start in atom hockey and say that every girl from now on plays bodychecking? I’m not sure.” 5’ 8” 5’ 3” THE ATHLETES Size matters Big teams seem to have an edge, going by the final standings at the 2009 world championships. Country U.S. Canada Finland Sweden Russia Kazakhstan Switzerland Japan China Average Height 5-foot-7 5-foot-8 5-foot-7 5-foot-7 5-foot-6 5-foot-5 5-foot-6 5-foot-3 5-foot-5 Average 154 153 144 155 140 133 143 127 138 Weight pounds pounds pounds pounds pounds pounds pounds pounds pounds SMART FACTS Hayley Wickenheiser, Canada,forward PLAYERS TO WATCH 1.POSITIONING 2.RUSSIAN ROULETTE 3.CANADA’S NEXT The 31-year-old from Shaunavon,Sask.,is widely Emma Laaksonen, Finland,defence THEMSELVES Since 1997, the Russian ‘NEXT ONE’ considered the best player in the game.She made Meaghan Mikkelson men have won a silver Women’s hockey fans her international debut at 15,and her game today The 28-year-old blueliner is taking played forward for and bronze at four rave about the young relies largely on determination and power. part in her fourth Olympics.As a Canada at the world Olympics, while finishing players hitting the world The three-time Olympian is the only Canadian 16-year-old,she was part of the 1998 championships last first (twice), second and stage now, saying they’ve woman to reach the 300-point plateau. squad that won bronze and was April in Hameenlinna. third (twice) at the last 13 benefited from better co-captain of Finland’s teams in 2002 She made the 2010 world championships. coaching through Jennifer Botterill,Canada,forward and 2006. She played her college Olympic team as a Over that span, the the ranks and more The 30-year-old from Winnipeg is the only two- hockey at Ohio State from 2000-04. defender. Julie Chu of the Russian women have opportunities. time winner of the Patty Kazmaier Award as the United States has shuttled one solitary third-place Consider that Campbell- NCAA player of the year,taking the honour in back and forth between showing at a combined Pascall is one of the top both 2001 and 2003 with the Harvard Crimson. Noora Raty, Finland,goaltender wing and defence. three Olympics and 12 players ever to come out She also won world championship tournament The 20-year-old plays for the Switching positions isn’t world championships. of this country and most valuable player awards in 2001 and 2004. University of Minnesota Golden uncommon in women’s You can’t expect things she insists 18-year-old Gophers.Through her first 16 games hockey. Former Olympian to be equal, but Russia is Canadian phenom Angela Ruggiero, U.S.,defence this season,she was 12-2-2,with Cassie Campbell-Pascall a hockey nation, and their Marie-Philip Poulin is “20 The 30-year-old Californian has played in three a 0.89 goals against and a .965 save also pulled it off, making women have a 20-29-2 times better” than she was Olympics and nine world championship,named percentage.In 2008,she led Finland the 1997 women’s world record at those 15 events. at that age. to the all-star team four times.The 2004 winner of to a 1-0 win over the U.S.at the world all-star team as a defend- What gives? “I wasn’t even close to the Patty Kazmaier NCAA player of the year award championships,where she was named MVP. er, switching to forward “In 1997, they showed where she is now.” gained mainstream notoriety for appearing in the two years later and, in up with no skates, no Campbell-Pascall says 2007 season of The Apprentice. Kim Martin, Sweden,goaltender 2000, being named top sticks — we had to supply Poulin will end up as Rehabbing from knee injuries,the forward at the national them,” says Campbell- one of the best forwards Julie Chu, U.S.,forward 23-year-old didn’t play a minute at championships. Pascall. She says the Canada has ever Winner of the Patty Kazmaier NCAA player of the last year’s world championships but Campbell-Pascall ties it to Russian women’s under-18 produced. year award in 2007,Chu was the leading scorer at says she’s healthy now.Martin’s best playing on teams with team is “quite skilled,” last year’s world championships,with five goals known for backstopping the Swedes small rosters growing up which bodes well for their and 10 points in five games.The right-handed to a 3-2 shootout win over the U.S. and having to get used to future. Chu has played in six world championships. in the semifinal of the 2006 Olympic playing multiple positions. Games in Turin.The Swedes went on to win silver. 2010FOR MORE ON THE 2010 WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES GO TO VANCOUVERSUN.COM/2010 GRAPHICS:BY ROGER WATANABE AND MAGGIE WONG/VANCOUVER SUN.