FÜSSEN, Germany – Which is the best women’s national team behind the top four? Hockey fans would normally opt for Russia or Switzerland, but for once it was 12th-ranked Norway who stole the show.

The Norwegian women won the third part of the IIHF 12 Nations Invitational Tournament Series, created for the teams to have more competition within their tier and against better and worse-ranked teams.

Most of the Norwegian players have never competed against top-tier nations. The country played in the top tier of the Women’s World Championship four times in the ‘90s, but disappeared in the second and third tiers afterwards. Now they seem to be on the way back.

Under George Kingston, a former head coach of the San Jose Sharks and of the men’s national teams from Canada, Germany and Norway, Norway was getting closer to promotion and won Division I bronze in 2009.

After the Olympics Sten Gunnar Jørgensen took over and only in the third period of the last game against host nation Germany did the Norwegians miss the 2011 Division I gold and a comeback with the top nations in Vermont later this season.

At the third part of the 12 Nations Series, an eight-team tournament with four games for each team, Norway got a glimpse of what it means to play against better-ranked teams, drawing the top-three-seeded teams as opponents. Incredibly, Norway finished with a clean record.

After a 4-3 overtime victory against Japan, the Polar Bears ended up on top in a tit-for-tat game against top-seeded Russia. The Russians were able to tie up the score twice, but when Helene Martinsen made it 3-2 in the last period, the score stayed and Norway celebrated its first surprise.

In their next game the Norwegians shocked the Swiss with a 3-0 lead after the first period and an eventual 5-3 win before defeating another 2010 Vancouver Olympics participant, Slovakia, 3-1, to conclude the tournament on a high note.

Martinsen ended up top in the scoring race with four goals and four assists followed by her teammate Andrea Schjelderup Dalen (3+3) and Russia’s Tatyana Burina (1+5).

Both Martinsen and Dalen are among ten Norwegians on the squad who play abroad. Dalen, same as Jorid Dagfinrud, plays college hockey with the University of North Dakota’s “Fighting Sioux” while Martinsen is one of eight Norwegians on the squad who played in Sweden and one of three players from Swedish top club Segeltorp.
 
Japan followed in second place behind Norway. After their opening-game loss against Norway, the Asians defeated Germany (3-1), France (5-1) and the Czech Republic (2-1). For the Japanese, who were suffering from scoring inefficiency in the last few years, it looked like the knot has burst as they scored 13 markers, second only behind Norway.

Host Germany finished in third place only losing to Japan, but defeating Slovakia (3-0), Switzerland (2-1) and – in a shootout – Russia (2-1). The event surely gave optimism to the German team that was promoted to the World Women’s Championship in Burlington, Vermont next year.

“We defeated three teams that are ranked better than us. This shows that we’re on the right path for the Women’s World Championship,” said team manager Peter Gemsjäger.

Russia followed in fourth place with a 2-2 record, same as the Czech Republic. The Czechs have become a top-divison nation with their women’s U18 national team, but have never gained promotion to the top level with the women’s senior national team yet. In Füssen the rejuvenated team showed progress, defeating elite nations Switzerland 6-3 and Slovakia 4-2 while losing to Russia only by one goal.

Same as in the first tournament, Slovakia and Switzerland had an underperforming event in comparison with their past results. Both teams were only able to defeat winless France.

Click here for more informations on the IIHF Twelve Nations Invitational Tournament Series.

Team USA wins Four Nations

NYKÖPING, Sweden – While nations ranked 5-12 among the 12 Nations Series were playing in Füssen, the top four countries in women’s hockey had a Four Nations Tournament in Nyköping, Sweden. While it is not part of the IIHF’s invitational tournament initiative, it follows a long tradition of games between the four teams during the November break.

The hierarchy in women’s hockey was not shattered in Nyköping as the North American teams were able to control their European opponents and settled the gold medal game among themselves.

While Canada won the rivalry in the preliminary round, Team USA stayed atop in the gold medal game. The Americans scored a lead three times with two goals from Kelli Stack and one by Jenny Potter, but the Canadians tied it up each time. First Caroline Ouellette made it 1-1 with half a minute left in the second period, then it was Natalie Spooner, who equalized twice in the third period.

After a scoreless overtime period a penalty shootout decided in the United States’ favour. After three shooters from each team, the Americans won the penalty shot competition 2-1 with Hilary Knight being credited for the game-winning goal.

“I’m pleased with how our kids played,” said Team USA coach Katey Stone. “We had a lot of jump. We put a ton of pressure on in the overtime. This is just the beginning of the season and a good win to build on.”

The Americans outshot Canada 60-38.

The European team currently closest to the North Americans is Sweden. The “Damkronorna” lost to Canada only 3-1 after two third-period markers by the Canadians.

In their Nordic rivalry against Finland it was the Finns, who won 2-1 in a shootout in the preliminary round, but Sweden took revenge in the final round to claim the bronze after a 2-1 overtime victory against Finland. Both teams only scored once in the first period, despite 48 shots on goal from Sweden and 38 from Finland in the game. Linnea Hedin eventually broke the deadlock at 9:27 of the extra time.

MARTIN MERK

<table> <tbody><tr><td colspan="6">WOMEN'S TOURNAMENTS</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="6"> </td></tr> <tr><td colspan="6">Four Nations Tournament in Sweden</td></tr> <tr class="even"><td>Nov. 9</td><td>Nyköping (SWE)</td><td>Canada</td><td> - </td><td>Finland</td><td>5-0</td></tr> <tr><td>Nov. 9</td><td>Nyköping (SWE)</td><td>Sweden</td><td> - </td><td>USA</td><td>0-8</td></tr> <tr class="even"><td>Nov. 10</td><td>Nyköping (SWE)</td><td>USA</td><td> - </td><td>Canada</td><td>1-3</td></tr> <tr><td>Nov. 10</td><td>Nyköping (SWE)</td><td>Sweden</td><td> - </td><td>Finland</td><td>1-2 PS</td></tr> <tr class="even"><td>Nov. 12</td><td>Nyköping (SWE)</td><td>Sweden</td><td> - </td><td>Canada</td><td>1-3</td></tr> <tr><td>Nov. 12</td><td>Nyköping (SWE)</td><td>Finland</td><td> - </td><td>USA</td><td>0-10</td></tr> <tr class="even"><td>Nov. 13</td><td>Nyköping (SWE)</td><td>Finland</td><td> - </td><td>Sweden (3rd)</td><td>1-2 OT</td></tr> <tr><td>Nov. 13</td><td>Nyköping (SWE)</td><td>Canada</td><td> - </td><td>USA (1st)</td><td>3-4 PS</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="6"> </td></tr> <tr><td colspan="6">Standings: 1. USA, 2. Canada, 3. Sweden, 4. Finland</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="6"> </td></tr> <tr><td colspan="6">IIHF Twelve Nations Invitational Tournament Series in Germany</td></tr> <tr class="even"><td>Nov. 9</td><td>Füssen (GER)</td><td>Russia</td><td> - </td><td>Czech Rep.</td><td>1-0</td></tr> <tr><td>Nov. 9</td><td>Füssen (GER)</td><td>Japan</td><td> - </td><td>Norway</td><td>3-4 PS</td></tr> <tr class="even"><td>Nov. 9</td><td>Füssen (GER)</td><td>Switzerland</td><td> - </td><td>France</td><td>2-1</td></tr> <tr><td>Nov. 9</td><td>Füssen (GER)</td><td>Slovakia</td><td> - </td><td>Germany</td><td>0-3</td></tr> <tr class="even"><td>Nov. 10</td><td>Füssen (GER)</td><td>Switzerland</td><td> - </td><td>Czech Rep.</td><td>3-6</td></tr> <tr><td>Nov. 10</td><td>Füssen (GER)</td><td>France</td><td> - </td><td>Slovakia</td><td>0-1</td></tr> <tr class="even"><td>Nov. 10</td><td>Füssen (GER)</td><td>Norway</td><td> - </td><td>Russia</td><td>3-2</td></tr> <tr><td>Nov. 10</td><td>Füssen (GER)</td><td>Germany</td><td> - </td><td>Japan</td><td>1-3</td></tr> <tr class="even"><td>Nov. 12</td><td>Füssen (GER)</td><td>Switzerland</td><td> - </td><td>Norway</td><td>3-5</td></tr> <tr><td>Nov. 12</td><td>Füssen (GER)</td><td>Slovakia</td><td> - </td><td>Czech Rep.</td><td>2-4</td></tr> <tr class="even"><td>Nov. 12</td><td>Füssen (GER)</td><td>Russia</td><td> - </td><td>Germany</td><td>2-3 PS</td></tr> <tr><td>Nov. 12</td><td>Füssen (GER)</td><td>Japan</td><td> - </td><td>France</td><td>5-1</td></tr> <tr class="even"><td>Nov. 13</td><td>Füssen (GER)</td><td>Norway</td><td> - </td><td>Slovakia</td><td>3-1</td></tr> <tr><td>Nov. 13</td><td>Füssen (GER)</td><td>Czech Rep.</td><td> - </td><td>Japan</td><td>1-2</td></tr> <tr class="even"><td>Nov. 13</td><td>Füssen (GER)</td><td>Russia</td><td> - </td><td>France</td><td>7-1</td></tr> <tr><td>Nov. 13</td><td>Füssen (GER)</td><td>Germany</td><td> - </td><td>Switzerland</td><td>2-1</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="6"> </td></tr> <tr><td colspan="6">Standings: 1. Norway 11, 2. Japan 10, 3. Germany 8, 4. Russia 7, 5. Czech Rep. 6, 6. Switzerland 3, 7. Slovakia 3, 8. France 0</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="6"> </td></tr> <tr><td colspan="6">Other Games</td></tr> <tr class="even"><td>Nov. 12</td><td>Gmunden (AUT)</td><td>Italy</td><td> - </td><td>Austria</td><td>3-1</td></tr> <tr><td>Nov. 13</td><td>Gmunden (AUT)</td><td>Italy</td><td> - </td><td>Austria</td><td>4-1</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="6"> </td></tr> <tr><td colspan="6">WOMEN'S U18 TOURNAMENTS</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="6"> </td></tr> <tr><td colspan="6">Tournament in Russia</td></tr> <tr class="even"><td>Nov. 11</td><td>Dmitrov (RUS)</td><td>Sweden</td><td> - </td><td>Germany</td><td>2-1 PS</td></tr> <tr><td>Nov. 11</td><td>Dmitrov (RUS)</td><td>Russia</td><td> - </td><td>Finland</td><td>2-5</td></tr> <tr class="even"><td>Nov. 12</td><td>Dmitrov (RUS)</td><td>Finland</td><td> - </td><td>Sweden</td><td>1-5</td></tr> <tr><td>Nov. 12</td><td>Dmitrov (RUS)</td><td>Russia</td><td> - </td><td>Germany</td><td>1-0</td></tr> <tr class="even"><td>Nov. 13</td><td>Dmitrov (RUS)</td><td>Germany</td><td> - </td><td>Finland</td><td>2-1 PS</td></tr> <tr><td>Nov. 13</td><td>Dmitrov (RUS)</td><td>Russia</td><td> - </td><td>Sweden</td><td>0-2</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="6"> </td></tr> <tr><td colspan="6">Standings: 1. Sweden 8, 2. Finland 4, 3. Russia 3, 4. Germany 3</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="6"> </td></tr> <tr><td colspan="6">Other Games</td></tr> <tr class="even"><td>Nov. 12</td><td>Vöcklabruck (AUT)</td><td>Austria</td><td> - </td><td>Slovakia</td><td>2-1</td></tr> <tr><td>Nov. 13</td><td>Gmunden (AUT)</td><td>Austria</td><td> - </td><td>Slovakia</td><td>7-2</td></tr> </tbody></table>