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From the Olympics Toword Tomorrow
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U.S. thumps Japan 10-0 in women's ice hockey
12:00 CHN 3-1 SWE
16:00 USA 10-0 JPN
20:00 FIN 2-4 CAN
The U.S. women's ice hockey team ripped the nets for five goals in the first period Thursday, including a pair each by Allison Mleczko and Shelley Looney, in cruising 10-0 over Japan at the Nagano Olympic Winter Games.
Kathryn King also scored a hat trick in the next two periods at the Aqua Wing ice arena as the United States ensured its place in the gold medal contest of the tournament next Tuesday.
The U.S. will play the winner of the game between Canada and Finland, scheduled for later Thursday, for the gold medal.
The U.S. plays Canada in its final preliminary contest Saturday.
The bronze medal and gold medal games for the inaugural Olympic women's ice hockey tournament are scheduled for next Tuesday.
Despite the lopsided score, U.S. coach Ben Smith praised the Japanese side by saying, ''I was impressed by the effort of the opposition. I thought the Japanese played hard and played as good sportswomen.''
Japanese coach Toru Itabashi explained that he motivated his team, which was outshot by the Americans 56-4, before the game by having them write the name of the person ''they play for'' on their sticks.
''I told them that when they had difficulty in the game they should look at the name written on their stick and then continue to play hard,'' Itabashi said.
Japan, winless in four games, takes on Sweden on Saturday in the final round of the women's ice hockey, which is making its first appearance as an official medal sport in the Olympics. (Kyodo News)
Canadian Women down Finland 4-2 in women's hockey
The Canadian women's ice hockey team improved to a record of 4-0 at the Nagano Olympic Winter Games on Thursday when it defeated Finland by a score of 4-2 at the Aqua Wing ice arena.
With the win, Canada secured a spot in the championship final game of the women's tournament with one game remaining in the round-robin tourney against the United States.
The four-time world champions are gold medal favorites along with the U.S., which earlier defeated Japan 10-0.
The Canadian women jumped out to a three-goal lead and Danielle Goyette added another on the power play in the second period to secure the victory for Canada.
Goyette now has seven goals after four games and is Canada's leading scorer in the tournament.
Petra Vaarakallio scored Finland's first goal of the game at 13:25 of the second period to make it 3-1 but Canada came right back with Goyette's goal at 16:26.
Karoliina Rantamaki added Finland's second goal of the game at 13:32 of the third period to make it 4-2.
Therese Brisson had two goals for Canada. Geraldine Heaney scored Canada's second goal on the powerplay. (Kyodo News)
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Copyright 1998 The Shinano Mainichi Shimbun