The IIHF 12 Nations Tournament (although it is also known as the IIHF Eight Nations tournament) will be held in Viermäki, Finland from August 24-31. The competing nations will be the national women's teams. This is a new tournament introduced by the International Ice Hockey Federation. The goal is to close the large gaps in skill between countries by providing more competitive opportunities. The eight competing countries in Vierumaki, Finland are Canada, United States, Finland, Sweden, Russia, Switzerland, Slovakia and Japan. France, Germany, Norway and the Czech Republic are playing in a mini-tournament simultaneously in Courcheval, France.
August 29: Jayna Hefford scored once in regulation time and twice in the shootout as Canada triumphed against the United States by a 4-3 mark in an exhibition game. Hilary Knight scored on the Americans' first two shots for a 2-0 lead just 1:55 in as Liz Knox was pulled from the game. Gillian Apps tallied a goal less than a minute after Knight’s second goal and Jocelyne Larocque evened at 7:41, as four goals were registered in the first eight minutes.
The teams exchanged goals late in the second period. Brianna Decker scored for the US, while Jayna Hefford replied with a power play goal. Afterwards, Genevieve Lacasse and Jessie Vetter made a combined 31 saves in the third period and overtime, forcing a shootout between the rivals. In the first five rounds of said shootout, Hefford and Kelli Stack traded goals. Afterwards, Hefford proceeded to give Canada another lead as she scored again in the shootout. Jennifer Wakefield followed to beat Vetter for the game winner.[1]
United States of America
Finland
Sweden
Canada
Slovakia
Russia
Japan
Switzerland
Norway
Germany
Czech Republic
France