HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA – Canada’s National Women’s Team has advanced to the gold medal final at the 2004 IIHF World Women’s Hockey Championship, on the strength of a 3-1-0 record through the round robin and the qualifying round, and a 7-1 win over Sweden on Sunday.

The gold medal game at the 2004 IIHF World Women’s Hockey Championship will be held on Tuesday, April 6th at 8:00 pm (Atlantic), 7:00pm ET at the Halifax Metro Centre. The game will be broadcast LIVE across Canada on TSN/RDS and CBC Radio (some regions – check local listings).

For an eighth consecutive World Championship, Canada will be in the gold medal final. Canada has captured all seven previous World Women’s Hockey Championships (1990, 1992, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001).

Canada will face either Sweden or the USA in the gold medal game. Sweden and the USA face off in the final qualifying game on Monday, April 5th at 8pm (Atlantic) at the Halifax Metro Centre. Sweden must defeat the USA by at least five goals to earn a spot in the gold medal final. The USA will advance to the final with a win, tie or a loss by less than five goals.

Jennifer Botterill led Canada to a win on Sunday with 4 points (1g, 3a), while goaltender Sami Jo Small earned the win with 12 saves. Canada’s all-time record in World Championship play stands at 38-1.

Team Canada at the 2004 IIHF World Women’s Hockey Championship

Round Robin March 30, 2004 Canada 11 China 0

April 1, 2004 Canada 13 Germany 0

Qualifying Round April 3, 2004 Canada 1 USA 3

April 4, 2004 Canada 7 Sweden 1

For complete information, including game summaries, rosters, profiles, photos and to bid on game worn Team Canada jerseys, go to the official website of the 2004 IIHF World Women’s Hockey Championship, at www.hockeycanada.ca

NOTE TO MEDIA: Media interview requests for players following the Championship game should be made IN ADVANCE of Tuesday’s game, by contacting Team Canada Media Relations Manager André Brin at 403-703-8791 (cellular) or abrin@hockeycanada.ca. Hockey Canada will do its utmost to accommodate interview requests, however, due to numerous media requests on-site and time constraints, phone interviews following the Championship game may be limited.

Returning flight information for all players and staff will be provided to media on April 6, 2004, prior to the start of the game.

For further information :

André Brin

Manager, Media Relations

Hockey Canada

403-777-3609/ 403-703-8791
abrin@hockeycanada.ca