Canada readies for reassembled U.S. at women’s world hockey championship
PLYMOUTH, Mich. — Canada will open the women’s world hockey championship against a U.S. team either drained from the drama of recent days or empowered by winning concessions from their own federation.
Regardless, the Canadians are pleased their archrivals will be on the ice with them Friday in Plymouth, Mich. The U.S. women had threatened to boycott the tournament unless they received received more financial support from USA Hockey.
“We wanted them here,” Canadian forward Haley Irwin said. “At a world championship, you want the best teams to be here to compete against and compete for a gold medal.”
The American women’s campaign, and the support they received from tennis legend Billie Jean King to the NHL Players’ Association to U.S. senators, has created a buzz around the host team and defending champions.