1997 Women's World Ice Hockey Championships



The 1997 IIHF World Women Championships was held March 31-April 6, 1997 in seven Canadian cities all in the Province of Ontario. Team Canada won their 4th consecutive gold medal at the World Championships defeating the United States in a repeat of the previous three finals, however this time the United States took Canada in the closest final so far, losing in overtime. Finland picked up their fourth consecutive bronze medal, with a win over China who made the Semi-Final for the second consecutive year.

Qualification Tournament
The following teams participated in the championship. Qualification was the top three from the 1996 Pacific Qualification Tournament, and the top five from the 1996 European Championship.


 * - Qualified as 1st in 1996 Pacific Qualification Tournament
 * - Qualified as 3rd in 1996 Pacific Qualification Tournament
 * - Qualified as 2nd in 1996 European Championship
 * - Qualified as 4th in 1996 European Championship
 * - Qualified as 2nd in 1996 European Championship
 * - Qualified as 5th in 1996 European Championship
 * - Qualified as 1st in 1996 European Championship
 * - Qualified as 2nd in 1996 Pacific Qualification Tournament

Final Tournament
The eight participating teams were divided up into two seeded groups as below. The teams played each other once in a single round robin format. The top two teams from the group proceeded to the Final Round, while the remaining teams played in the Consolation Round.

Results
All times local

Results
All times local

Tournament Awards
The following was selected as the All-Star team of the tournament:


 * Goaltender - Patricia Sauter
 * Defence - Cassie Campbell
 * Defence - Kelly O'Leary
 * Forward - Hayley Wickenheiser
 * Forward - Cammi Granato
 * Forward - Riikka Neminen