ZURICH – Slovak goalie Zuzana Tomcikova was named tournament MVP following the gold medal game. She almost single-handedly kept her team in the top division with her sensational play throughout the tournament. The Directorate Awards were given to:
Best Goalie: Noora Räty (FIN)
Best Defenceman: Meaghan Mikkelson (CAN)
Best Forward: Monique Lamoureux-Kolls (USA) The media all-star team is as follows:
Goal: Zuzana Tomcikova (SVK)
Defence: Meaghan Mikkelson (CAN), Caitlin Cahow (USA)
Forward: Hilary Knight (USA), Hayley Wickenheiser (CAN), Michelle Karvinen (FIN) Team USA takes over in world ranking The United States took first place in the IIHF Women’s World Ranking after the gold medal win against Canada with 40 points more on their account than their North American rivals.

Prior to the 2011 IIHF World Women’s Championship both teams had been equal in points, but Canada held first place thanks to winning the last event, the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

Finland remains third after winning the bronze and extended the margin to fourth-ranked Sweden to 100 points.

Russia’s fourth-place finish, the best since 2001, was also rewarded in the world ranking. The Russians overtook Switzerland for fifth place, the Swiss lost one position and are now sixth before Kazakhstan.

The Slovaks, who played their first World Women’s Championship in the Top Division, gained two positions and come now in eighth place before China and Germany, the team that won the Division I on home ice recently.

The Women’s World Ranking includes the performances of 37 nations whose women’s national teams have participated in IIHF World Women’s Championships, the Olympic Winter Games and the Olympic qualifiers between 2008 and 2011.

Click here for the full 2011 IIHF Women’s World Ranking. Attendance 28,437 fans attended the 2011 IIHF World Women's Championship including 4,318 spectators at the gold medal game.