Canada routs Norway to reach gold-medal game at inaugural women’s Para hockey worlds
Canada’s Alyssa White scored a hat trick to propel her team to a dominant 7-0 victory over Norway, securing a spot in the gold-medal game of the inaugural Para ice hockey women’s world championships in Dolny Kubin, Slovakia. Alanna Mah contributed two goals, while Raphaelle Tousignant and Sheena Darnley also found the back of the net for Canada.
This impressive win allowed Canada to finish at the top of Group B in the six-team tournament. Their next challenge will be facing the United States, who defeated Great Britain 10-0 in the other semifinal match.
Remarkably, Canada has yet to concede a goal throughout the entire tournament, showcasing their defensive prowess and offensive firepower. The bronze- and gold-medal games are set to take place on Sunday.
Fans can catch all the action by streaming the games live on the Paralympic YouTube channel and World Para Ice Hockey Facebook page. The tournament also features teams from Australia and Team World, a squad composed of players from nine different countries.
The significance of this tournament extends beyond the ice, as World Para Ice Hockey aims to organize at least two women’s world championships before proposing to the International Paralympic Committee’s governing board for inclusion as a women’s only sport in the 2030 Paralympics. Currently, Para hockey at the Paralympics is mixed-gender, with only a few women ever participating, leading to a gender gap in winter sports.
Women’s Para hockey in Canada operates independently from Hockey Canada, with the national team not receiving funding from Sport Canada or Own The Podium. Despite this, the support from Hockey Canada’s foundation remains crucial for the growth and success of the women’s Para hockey program.
As the tournament unfolds, the world is witnessing history in the making with the first-ever women’s Para hockey world championships. Team Canada’s journey to compete at this prestigious event is captured in the thrilling matches played out on the ice in Slovakia.
