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Women’s Ice Hockey Worlds in Harbin

Friday, 4th April 2008 ~ Maggie ~ Link ~ Comments (0)

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The International Ice Hockey Federation is bringing the Women's Ice Hockey World Championships to Harbin this weekend. It is the first time the event will be held in China. It was scheduled for Beijing five years ago, but canceled due to SARS.

China plays Russia at 7:00 on Saturday and world number one Canada at 7:00 on Sunday at Baqu Arena. Games continue through April 12, with next week's matchups being determined by this weekend's outcomes. For a full schedule, results and more information, go to the IIHF's tournament page.

China has precious little hope of challenging for even a bronze here, but the championships are key to its Olympic qualifying efforts. The tournament will not only crown a world champion, but also help determine which teams qualify for the 2010 games in Vancouver. Eighth-ranked China is currently in a four-team race for the sixth and final spot to be assigned this weekend.

A curiously anonymous participant in the tournament is blogging about their impressions of China and the competition #here#http://www.iihf.com/channels/iihf-world-womens-championship/blog.html.

Image: IIHF.com

Tags: Harbin, ice hockey