Today was a busy day in Denmark…

Photo copyright www.sport-live.net

A-Division

Goalkeeper: Jonna Mäkelä, Finland

Defender: Simon Berner, Switzerland

Defender: Jenni Morottaja, Finland

Forward: Annukka Muuri, USA

Forward: Mirca Anderegg, Switzerland

Forward: Eliska Krizova, Czech Republic

MVP: Camilla Nilsson, Sweden

B-Division

Goalkeeper: Katarzyna Postawka, Poland

Defender: Katja Timmel, Germany

Defender: Ann-Mari Gregorwich, Canada

Forward: Panka Semmelink, Netherlands

Forward: Lauren MacMillan, Canada

Forward: Anita Antal, Hungary

MVP: Monika Waksmundska, Poland

See you all tomorrow.

Johanna Kytola has a column featured in Innebandymagazinet.se!

Here is what Johanna wrote in English which was later translated to Swedish:

First Impressions – Team Canada
How is it to play our first WFC?

As the debutants in the 2007 Women’s World Floorball Championships, Team Canada came to Frederikshaven not fully knowing what to expect. Regardless of the unknown that awaited us, everyone was thrilled to be given the opportunity to be a part of this historical team!

While the majority of players were able to play together for the first time over Easter weekend at the Canada Cup Floorball
Championships in Toronto (www.thecanadacup.com) many met for the first time just 8 days ago in Lund, Sweden where we played our first exhibition game as Team Canada! However, it was only during the national anthems at our very first WFC game against Germany that it really sunk in that we were representing Canada.

“I was just in awe of being in international competition. To see Canadian flags in the rafters it really hit me that we are representing Canada and for the first time for women” said Mariko Kusano #10 Forward.

“I was impressed by how official everything is and how well it is organized” Sonja Hotke #8 Forward

“I felt very welcomed by everyone on the organizing committee and also that people seemed really excited to see Team Canada and see how we would do. I was honored that so many people followed our progress throughout the WFC” Alison Quinn #5 Defense

During the course of the WFC Team Canada really came together as a team and instilled a spirit of never giving up. This spirit carried us to come back in games against Spain and Australia, which ended scores of 7-7 and 6-6 respectively. Team Canada also experienced some floorball ‘lessons’ as our 8 or 9 penalties attest to in our first game. Regardless of the penalties the team was continually learning and working to improve our play as a collective while loving every minute!

Kati Suomela, Team Canada’s head coach, worked not only to develop the team in a short period of time but also inspired the team to excel despite being at the WFC for the first time.

While this was Team Canada’s first time at the world championships it certainly will not be their last. Team Canada is leaving this tournament with a smile and energized to develop for WFC 2009. As the team would say,

“Hey Canada…Hey What? Hey Canada….Hey What? Show us how to get down… No Way! Show us how to get down….OK! Gooooooo Canada!!!”

Keep up the great work, girls!

MVP’s for the game are Italy’s goalie Lisa Bocchetti and Lauren MacMillan for Canada. Canada finishes 7th in the division and is awarded memory medals from the organizer.

Canada wins the game 6-4! Shots in the period 5 for Canada and 11 for Italy.

One minute left and Italy scores again. Turn around shot hits Esther and is left in the crease. Gruber scores from Felix.

Everard is back on the court and immediately creates a great chance for Canada, but Bartlett cannot score.

Esther makes a big save off of a free hit. One minute left in the penalty.

Penalty for Team Canada at 16:23. Their reliable defender Jennifer Everard is called for a hand ball. Big kill needed for Canada here without two of their top D available. It’s the top line with Warnick to kill.

Very next play Italy scores. A weak shot that Esther cannot control. The rebound is left in the crease and the Italy player scoops it in from a small angle. Italy 3, Canada 6 at 16:01. Time out Canada which the refs almost miss…

Gregorwich goes down on her own in a huge scream of pain. She’s twisted her ankle or worse. She is carried off the field and tended to by the team doc and tournament doc.

14:29, Canada’s big line is out there. Italy has the counter attack and hits the post. Then the next shot trickles in for an Italy goal. Scored by Elisa Fischone assisted by Beatrice Barco. Canada 6, Italy 2.

At 13:28, Everard and Quinn lose their marking and an Italian is left alone in front of the net. Her shot goes way high.

Lines change again, now it’s Gillen, Bartlett and Kusano. Quinn blocks another shot in front of the Canadian goal. Time is 11:20 and this game has settled down. Still chippy but settled down.

Italy with their best chance of the period! Where was the defense? The shot goes high and wide.

Big Everard shot at 8:22 is stopped by the Italy keeper. Then great D by Quinn to break up two Italy counter attacks.

Now Kytola out for her first even strength shift of the tournament. She is out with MacMillan and Houde. Lewis and Rayner in defense.

Tinker looks ready to come on for her first shift of the game… here is she coming out with Gillen and Kusano at 6:02.

Chan forced to make a stop at 4:30 while Canada was changing.

Gillen continues her strong play with a steal in the middle. Now coming out are Hotke, Smith and Harris with Rayner and Lewis.

Getting a chance now for Canada on defense are substitutes Trish Lewis and Marilyn Rayner. No sign of Kytola, Hoffman or Tinker yet but Kytola is warming up on the sidelines getting instructions from Assistant Coach Matias.

Chan makes a good save on the very next Italy chance, no rebound.

Just 15 seconds into the third period, it’s MacMillan with a true Sniper goal! Places the shot in between the post and the goalie past a defender. Assisted by Kim Houde. MacMillan is up to four goals now… wow!! Canada 6, Italy 1.

The second period ends with Canada leading Italy 5-1. Shots on goal are Canada 15, Italy 5.

At 19:30 big save for Esther. Trick shot from the Italians is hard and accurate but she makes the save with ease.

This game is getting physical. Pushes and shoves both way and players getting put into the boards. The Italian coach is still so pissed his GM is trying to get him to calm down.

The Italian coach is furious. He clearly tells the refs he wants a time-out at the next stop and the ref pair forgets and does not call it. The following shift Lauren MacMillan scores from Alison Quinn to put Canada ahead 5-1. What a mistake from the ref pair but this one goes Canada’s way!

Very next shift it’s really close for Lise Gillen. Her first shot is blocked and second deflects just high of the net.

At 15:09, the third line makes an appearance and guess what! Sonja Hotke gets on the board for Canada, her first goal of the tournament. She gets a ball in the centre and her shot beats the Italy keeper down low. No assist on the play. It’s Canada 4, Italy 1.

Big chance in front for MacMillan is saved. Ensuing free hit Gregorwich also stopped.

Lise says on the Bartlett & Kusano line and is playing well. Lots of effort from this line. They keep the ball in Italy’s end. Looks like only these two lines playing for Suomela right now.

At 11:46, an Italy player that was battling with Houde is down and looks badly hurt. It’s Barbara Gruber who in World Cup soccer style is now OK and returns to the bench.

The big line keeps clicking. Three big chances in front of the Italy goal. They are having no trouble generating offense but just can’t click.

Italy low shot is saved by Chan. The shots in the second Canada 6, Italy 3.

Very next play, it’s a CANADA GOAL! Ashley VanAggelen gets the ball from behind the net, moves in front and gets her rebound to put Canada ahead 3-1 at 8:56 of the 2nd period.

The first line is really clicking offensively. Too man great chances to list here. Best shift of the tourney for any Canada line but they miss their chances.

Lise Gillen getting a chance with Bartlett and Kusano at 7:09. The line keeps Italy in their own end and Lise is on a mission. Almost gets a shot on goal but it’s deflected wide.

Italy putting on a bit of pressure now. They have missed on three good chances.

Gregorwich pushed over the boards and Coach Suomela is pissed off and screams at the ref even though the call goes Canada’s way. I can’t hear the conversation but she is probably told to cool it.

Good chance for Italy at the four minute mark. They get a good shot off to the low corner but Esther saves it and gives no rebound.

Two minutes in and it’s all Canada. MacMillan with a huge rebound chance but can’t connect. Then a quick Italy counter-attack that looks really dangerous. However it miss the net.

Minute in and Canada is pressuring. Again the Bartlett-Kodatsky-Kusano line are too high with three Italy players behind them. Quinn recovers the ball with aggressive coverage.

Gregorwich accidentally heads the ball on an Italy chance but no call.

The second period is underway folks.

The first period ends with Canada leading Italy 2-1. Canada has the edge in shots on goal with 8 to Italy’s 5.

Canada’s forwards continue to struggle with defensive coverige. The Bartlett-Kodatsky-Kusano line are all lined up forechecking with just two Italy players ahead of them. An odd-man chance waiting to happen but they recover to get back.

Oh man, awesome chance for Houde to put in a well played Canada ball… just can’t connect on the play.

Gregorwich hits incorrectly in front of Canada’s net and it’s a prime free hit for Italy. They try to lob it over the wall and goalie but miss. Next play a one-time chance in front but Quinn blocks it.

Big scoring chance for VanAggelen! On the run, her back-hand shot is saved and held by the Italy keeper.

Good chance for Italy but Esther makes a great diving save, even covering up the ball to make sure there is no rebound! The bench gives her a big cheer.

On the very next play, no mistake from MacMillan! The Sniper makes Italy pay with a good shot to the low corner of the net. Assisted by VanAggelen but the refs miss it and call the play officially unassisted. Canada 2, Italy 1 at 14:41.

At 14:23, MacMillan has a good chance for shot on goal. Her shot goes high.

Bouncing Italy ball in front of the net but Chan covers the rebound.

At 13 minutes played, 2 on 1 chance is broken up by Canada’s Everard. How does the first line keep giving up odd man attacks every second chance?

Good Canada forecheck results in a chance. Shot from Warnick, Kodatsky tries to redirect it home with the stick above her head! Canada really lucky not to get a 2-minute penalty on that play.

Bartlett shot on goal from the side, rebound bounces too far for Kodatsky to hit home.

Game is still tied at 11:10. Gregorwich forced to make another block. The lines look to be the same as yesterday… Kytola and Hoffman are not playing.

Gregorwich controls the ball for a while in Italy’s zone and gets the shot off…saved by Italy’s goalie. Free hit for the top line in the corner, Houde again waits for a really long time… but when she plays it, Canada ends up getting a chance with MacMillan in front. She doesn’t connect fully and shoots it way high.

Great chance Canada at nine minutes. Houde’s great forecheck results in getting the ball to Van Aggelen in front of the net. She tries to move to MacMillan but can’t — Italy’s keeper is there for the save.

At 7:01, the loud Italy fans get what they want — Italy scores. Warnick runs over Romino Micheli and sends her over he boards, but she gets the ball to a streaking Andrea Durizzo. The harmless looking play is a goal as the floater beats Esther into the upper corner. Micheli gets up in pain but is elated Italy has tied the game!

At six minutes, great chance from Warnick from Van Aggelen. Shot goes wide. Coach Suomela is screaming to her team to cover their players better.

Canada actually scores first folks! It’s Lauren MacMillan from Ashley Van Aggelen at 4:36. The low shot finds it’s way past the Italy keeper. Italy is playing their back-up in this match.

At 4:00 Kodatsky is wide open at the side of the net but Bartlett cannot get a pass off. Then again the first line slow to comeback but Italy cannot get anything going on the 3 on 2.

Houde with a chance but she can’t control the ball. No shot on the opportunity. Canada is slow getting back to defend but Gregorwich saves the day.

MacMillan’s shot is wide at the three minute mark. The same referees in this one as yesterday, the two Czech sisters failed to impress anyone that time.

At 2:00, Canada seems to be dictating the play here, line of Kusano, Kodatsky and Bartlett with good posession in the Italy end.

Almost a minute played and still 0-0. Rare in Canada games! The team gives itself a cheer for surviving.

Canada pressures, two chances for the top line. Gregorwich gives it up and Italy gets itøs first shot. Just touches Esther and goes wide.

Starting for Canada is Chan, VanAggelen, Houde, MacMillan, Gregorwich and Warnick. Face-off happens NOW!

Juha Mikkola will be writing a personal blog whenever he has time in addition to the in-depth Canada coverage he is preparing for the site. Feel free to read his first installment below. The opinions expressed in Juha’s blog are purely his own and don’t represent the OFUF’s view!

Things are getting exciting here in Denmark as the playoffs stage of the tournament begins Thursday. Here’s what’s happening around Arena Nord…

Photo copyright Sport-Live.net

Photo copyright Morten Frivert Hansen

Stay tuned for updates from Denmark! Thanks for reading…

Thanks to Linda Salomonsson the article about Team Canada in Innebandymagazinet is now available in English!

”It’s an awesome paper”

Canada is playing their first World Championship ever and got an historical point against Spain by tying them 7-7.
– It’s fantastic, exciting, and it’s a great honour to be here and represent Canada, says forward Ashley Van Aggelen to Innebandymagazinet.se.

The team is sitting on the stands watching the game between Latvia and the USA. Ashley Van Aggelen has the latest issue of Innebandymagazinet in her hand.

- It’s a fantastic magazine. The pictures are amazing. We like the way you profile the players, and then it’s fun that there is so much about girls, even on the cover. In Canada sports magazines are often dominated by men, says Van Aggelen and her team mate Anna Bartlett agrees.

What do you think about being in Europe and play the World Championship?
- It’s really a challenge. We were down 5-1 today, but came back and almost won. It’s a great atmosphere here says Anna Bartlett, and at the same time the team starts celebrating as they get the news that Canada won the hockey World Championship.

Thanks for translating the article, Linda!

Here is what will appear on the official WFC2007 site this evening!

Canada Stuns Australia with Another Comeback
Australia’s lightning start not enough as Canada comes back to tie 6-6

In a rare battle of English speaking nations at WFC2007, favored Australia got off to a lightning start against Canada in their qualification group match-up. The Aussies’ strong offense powered them to quick 3-0 and 5-1 leads with Melanie Cathie leading the way. However, the Canadian ladies don’t give up easily. Canada had already clawed back from a 5-1 deficit to tie Spain 7-7 and from 3-0 to tie Poland 5-5 earlier in the tournament. At 13:13 of the third period, Canada’s furious comeback was complete as the Canadians got even with the Australians 6-6 on Ann-Mari Gregorwich’s unassisted goal. The two teams would end up sharing the points in this match and await the result of Germany vs. Spain to determine their final group standing.

Canada’s MVP as selected by the organizers was Kim Houde with a goal and an assist while Melanie Cathie was selected Australia’s best player with two goals and two assists.

Here is a blog update from Team Canada Manager Johanna Kytola. Enjoy!

Team Canada School Visit
Tuesday, May 15, 2007

With 3 games behind Team Canada our day off finally arrived! After our daily practice the team headed to a local Danish school to play some floorball with the kids. We were all really looking forward to the event!

As the bus pulled in to the parking lot of the school the team was greeted with a crowd of kids eagerly shouting “Canada, Canada”. Canadian and Danish flags were everywhere while banners lined the schoolyard. The team couldn’t believe the welcome we were receiving!

We all felt like superstars coming off the bus and having all of the kids run up to us, some later asking us for our autograph! After introductions and snacks we headed outside for the official pre-game ceremonies to begin. Both teams ran out onto the small outdoor court with the crowd cheering. Just as in our official games the national anthems play as we stand in a line prior to the game beginning. Team Canada will be playing the kids in a game of 3-on-3 floorball with three 5-minute periods. Local media has even come out to cover the action. The school has planned the event wonderfully!

The game is quickly underway with both teams gunning for goals. The kid’s team gets a 2-goal lead so Team Canada is determined to make a come back, which they do shortly there after. During the first intermission there is a special dance presentation. The girls dancing do a great job and everyone is clapping along with the music. For the second intermission there is an impressive cheer leading routine.

The final period is an exciting one as the teams are both scoring lots of goals. We’re nearing the end and the game is tied 6-6. The crowd loudly cheers the 10-second countdown to end the game…the whistle blows and the game ends in a tie! What a game!

After taking some team pictures, Team Canada players are asked for their autographs and pose for individual photos. I cannot tell who is more excited, the kids or the players! We are all really touched with the hard work and coordination that was put into this event!

We wish the kids well and hope to see them in the stands for our game against Australia. What a great way to spend our day off, one I’m sure we will all remember for a long time to come!

“This was definitely a highlight for me!” exclaimed Kara Hoffman.

Thank you to Steen of the WFC organizing committee and Erik from the school for helping coordinate this wonderful event!

Did you follow this game live on our website? If you did we want to hear from you. Please give us a shout on floorballforums.com See you there! Below you can read the game play-by-play!

Canada vs. Australia ends in a tie. Canada 6, Australia 6. Shots on goal are 29 for Australia and 23 for Canada. MVP is presented by IFF: Australia #29 Melanie Cathie, Team Canada #12 Kim Houde.

Kati Suomela screams at the top of her lungs. Canada had one last chance off the free hit but the shot is deflected, then the free hit called Aussie’s way.

Aussie chance just misses at 19:29.

One minute left. Gregorwich holds the ball with no one else on the team wanting it. Come on girls!

Time-out Team Canada at 18:11. Just before that Esther makes a mega stop on an in-close chance and covers up.

Australian chance to walk right in before the 18-minute mark. Wrist shot is high over the net.

Canada struggling with the ball. Pass to Houde who is slow to move and has to back-track. End result is ball to Aussies and dangerous free hit for the opponent. Esther kicks away the shot on goal.

At 14:17, time-out Australia. They now control the ball with conviction.

Ladies and gentlemen! This game is tied believe it or not. Huge huge clutch play by Canada. Goal is scored by who else but Canada’s star Ann-Mari Gregorwich who blows kisses to the crowd after knotting the score at six. Time 13:13 and no assist on the play.

Canadian pressure pays off. They score immediately to pull back with-in one. Alison Quinn takes a back-hand shot that hits the goalie and stays in play. Kim Houde takes a smack at it and then it bounces to Lauren MacMillan who scores.

At 11:32 Anna Bartlett hit in the face by the ball. Momentarily goes down but gets right back up to play. Ann-Mari looks hurt on a play but stays out there. It’s costly for Canada as the Aussies get the ball deep and beat Esther Chan to the short side. She gets a piece but not enough. At 12:18 it’s Australia 6, Canada 4.

Canada’s pair of Quinn and Everard struggling just to get the ball out of their zone. A free hit for the Aussies. But Esther makes a strong save on the sweep shot set play. Canada’s number one line pressures at times and is shooting from everywhere as instructed.

Canada kills the penalty and then scores. Man this team is resilient! Ashley VanAggelen wrap around scores. No assist on the play. Canada 4, Australia 5 at 9:32.

Minute gone on the powerplay. Couple of tough Aussie shots deflect wide or go high.

Wow! Shady officiating. One referee calls play while the other calls a two-minute penalty. #19 Jennifer Everard for blocking. Aussie power-play upcoming.

At 5:50 Houde fires a bullet that’s off the cross bar. The goal cage is friendly to both keepers today. Kari Suomela, coached, screams to shoot from everywhere now on!

For those keeping track at home, here are Canada’s lines here in the third:
First: VanAggelen, Houde and MacMillan
Second: Kusano, Bartlett, Kodatsky
Third: Hotke, Harris and Smith
Back Pair 1: Gregorwich, Warnick
Back Pair 2: Quinn, Everard

Alison Quinn tries to bring the ball up but loses it along the boards. The Aussies get a two on one but Jennifer Everard is aggressive at the back and prevents a scoring chance by attachking the ball carrier.

CANADA SCORES! Kim Houde shows her goal scoring touch at 3:11. A long shot to score Canada’s goal. The shot dips and beats the Aussie keeper to her right. No assist on the play. The Aussie’s chant to try to get focused again.

Block on an Aussie chance by Gregorwich.

Big shot at 0:22 by Alison Quinn is stopped by the Aussie keeper. No one home to play the rebound.

Big support for the Aussies as they make their way onto the field.

Third Period

The period ends with Australia leading Canada 5-2. Shots in the second period are 6 for Canada and 11 for Australia.

A great shift for Kim Kodatsky right before the end of the period. She blocks a huge chance in front of Canada’s net then gets a big scoring chance that is saved by the goalie. Ann-Mari hits the cross bar for Canada on the next rush.

The penalty is over. The top line is out on the court. Shot opportunity for Ashley but the shot is soft and easily caught by the keeper.

Free hit right in front of the Canada net with 31 seconds left on the penalty. The Aussies hit the cross bar!

Alexis Smith clears! Just 2 minutes left in the penalty. Anna says this is the longest 5 minutes of her life!

Aussie powerplay is strong, getting lots of chances but somehow not connecting.

We thought a Canada powerplay was upcoming… instead Anna Bartlett gets called a 5-minute penalty for roughing! This is horrible for Canada. Something must have happened outside of my view of vision. Anna is furious, calling the call horse something a la our friend Jarkko! Must be a British saying… Anna comments to me in the scorekeeper area it was an elbow but unintentional.

Aussie shot deflects off of Kusano’s leg and just misses wide. Same thing with the next Aussie one-timer from the slot.

Iron coach Kati Suomela does not appear to be happy with her team. She is working the bench and getting loud to try to get these players to respond. Shot by the Aussies is covered by Esther who is hit on the fingers. She juggles the next deflected shot but covers up.

Free hit Australia in their own end after Kim Houde runs her woman over the boards in an in tight battle.

Sonja Hotke and Brooke Harris work hard to get a free hit down low. Number one line out but the shot by Ann-Mari is not on net.

Empty net for the Aussies on a 2 on 1, somehow the shot hits the post and Canada stays within 3. Poor defense by the Canadians on that play… very next chance Esther has to make two more saves to keep the ball out of the net.

At 5:46 Canada scores! It’s Ann-Mari Gregorwich from Alana Warnick. Canada 2, Australia 5. Could this be the start of another comeback?? They would need a monumental Lions-esque comeback to tie this one but there is plenty of fight in these girls, we know that!

A great save by Esther. A shot that looked destined to stake the Aussies to a 6-1 lead is stopped by Esther’s right hand.

A bad goal puts Canada further in a hole. No one to pressure the shot and it beats Esther cleanly to the low right hand corner of the net. This is one the whole team would like to have back! It’s the same connection for the Aussies: Cathie from Bourke.

Canada has a great scoring chance but Australia’s keeper makes 2 or 3 excellent stops on Ann-Mari Gregorwich and Lauren MacMillan to keep the Maple Leafs off the board. Then it’s Esther’s turn to make a good one-timer stop. The next Aussie shot at 3:47 just misses high.

Then it happens so fast I have no idea what just occured. Maybe a bad give away for Canada off the free hit? In any case a goal finds its way to the back of the net with huge force for the Aussie. Goal scorer is is Melanie Cathie from Ashleigh Bourke. Australia 4, Canada 1.

Big chance for the Aussies. Their shot high over the net.

The Canadians come out onto the field to the cheers and air horns of their ever growing group of supporters. When questioned in the intermission, Team Canada’s Assistant Coach Boyd VanAggelen is not sure why Canada keeps starting so slow in these games… This is the third match in a row where they will need a big come back against a top team. Australia’s Kevin Lyons reckons it will be a close and exciting game to watch from here on in. Get set for the face-off, ladies and gentlemen!

Second Period

First period ends with Australia leading Canada 3-1. The shots are Canada 8, Australia 13. The official tournament match record is now working and the match record is available here.

Big Canadian chance at 16:30, Jennifer Everard walks in and has all kinds of time at the back. Her hard shot is saves and the rebound is there for Kid Kodatsky. She just can’t connect….

Lauren again with a good shot and then a good pass attempt. The top line is buzzing. Their shot is saved by the goalie. Up to 6 shots now for Canada, Australia with 10.

Canada scores! They are on the board. Good Canadian pressure results in a goal. The scorer is Ashley VanAggelen with her first of the tournament, from who else but Lauren MacMillan, Canada’s captain and most dangerous offensive weapon. At 14:13, it’s Australia 3, Canada 1. On the very next rush Anna Bartlett gets a good chance but it’s saved by the keeper.

Ashley VanAggelen and Lauren MacMillan nearly connect in front of the Aussia goal. This top line is the only line getting the ball deep in the Aussie end with any type of consistency. A free-hit is earned but Ann-Mari’s shot is right into the wall. Tries a deke on the next play but she gives it up for a dangerous Aussie counter attack the other way.

A low shot save by Esther but there is a big rebound.

At 10:22, shots on goal are 10 by Australia, 2 by Canada.

A slow break away pass that completely eludes Canada’s defense. They recover just in time to prevent the easy goal for Canada.

Big block by Alana Warnick.

It’s Australia again at 8:12. Goal from #6 Jessica Laidler assisted by #22 Kim Snoliden. Australia continues the in your face celebrations! Australia 3, Canada 0

Bad give away by Mariko Kusano not being able to control the pass. Picked up by Andrea Staubli at the side of Canada’s net who passes to an open Natasha Glass. Goal is at 7:39. An amazing cheer by the Aussie team as they set-up as if taking a team photo before getting back to the bench. Michael Hanley would have been so proud of that one!

Canada kills the penalty but not before the Aussies play an open chance for their forward which goes off the post.

Lauren MacMillan a.k.a Boris with a huge effort on the penalty kill, bringing the ball into the Aussie end and holding it for 30 seconds. I almost thought we had a Randy Sa’d sighting ladies and gentlemen!

Kim Houde takes a delay of game penalty at 4:30. Big kick save by Esther on a low rocket shot. The Aussies are dominating in ball control right now.

Open Aussie opportunity is blocked by Ann-Mari Gregorwich. The Aussies continue to push and luck is on the Canadians side. A deflected shot bounces right past the Canadian goal.

Good chance for Canada at the 2-minute mark but Lise Gillen cannot stuff the ball into the net.

THE AUSSIES SCORE! Deflection in front of the net into the open cage. The goal is scored by Jane Clarkson from Melanie Cathie. Australia 1, Canada 0 at 0:27.

Australia wins the face-off and Esther kicks away her first shot 14 seconds into the game.

First Period

Starting Line-Up for Canada:
Esther Chan, Alison Quinn, Jennifer Everard, Mariko Kusano, Anna Bartlett and Sonja Hotke

Australia has a loud posse of fans in the building. The team has a lot of spirit and was singing rally songs well before they came onto the court. Their starting line-up is being announced now.

Kim Kodatsky is going to play in this game according to the box score handed in by the team GM. Strangely assistant coach Osvaldo Matias is left off the officials list but he is behind the Canada bench.

Our internet troubles continue but we will do our best to bring you live coverage of this game. We are positioned at the score keeper’s table and also responsible for the tournament’s official live score updates.

National Anthems for both teams are on now.

Read an interview conducted by the official tournament website with Team Canada’s captain and leading scorer, Lauren MacMillan of Winnipeg.

Check out Team Canada’s Anna Bartlett, of Toronto, and Ashley VanAggelen, of Winnipeg, at innebandymagazinet.se If anyone can translate the article for us, please email it so we can post an English version!

Congrats on the recognition, ladies!

Photo copyright Innebandymagazinet.se

Check out Sport-Live.net for excellent photos from Canada’s first two games!

Keep up the great work, Florian! Photo copyright Sport-Live.net