Canada Prevails Again As Women's World Hockey Champions

Canada has won its eighth consecutive Women's World Hockey Championship. The Canadians claimed the 2004 title Tuesday, with a 2-0 win over the United States in the gold medal game. The game was not without controversy, including a disallowed goal.

With Canada holding a 2-0 lead and about five minutes remaining in the third period, USA forward Natalie Darwitz scored on a shot that hit the inside crossbar and bounced back out. Play continued and the Finnish referee ruled that a goal had not been scored.

The Americans were incensed, and further frustrated when defenseman Katie King took a penalty shortly after. The late penalty all but finsihed any hopes of an American comeback.

Kim St. Pierre recorded the shutout for Canada, with goals coming from Hayley Wickenheiser early in the second period and Delaney Collins in the third.

Although they defeated Canada 3-1 in a round robin game on Saturday, Team USA went into the final at a disadvantage. Forwards Krissy Wendell and Shelley Looney missed the game with injuries. Team captain Cammi Granato played sparingly because of a knee injury.

Canada has won every women's title since the world tournament began in 1990. The USA has finished second on every occasion.

A sell-out crowd of over 10,000 watched the final game in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The tournament set an overall attendance record of 94,001.

For more results from the tournament, check the 2004 Women's World Hockey Championship page.