The top 5 teams at Kamloops

The eight-team IIHF women’s hockey world championship tournament gets going Monday in Kamloops, highlighted by a preliminary round matchup between Canada and the U.S. at the Sandman Centre (7:30 p.m. PST, TSN.) Steve Ewen handicaps the field.

1 Canada

The Canadians may have captured the past four Olympic gold medals, but the Americans have won five of six world championships, including last year in Malmo, Sweden, where they recorded a 7-5 decision over Canada in the gold medal matchup.

That Canadian team had 10 players taking part in a women’s worlds for the first time. This Canadian side in Kamloops is decidedly more experienced, thanks to forwards Meghan Agosta and Hayley Wickenheiser, defender Meaghan Mikkelson and goaltender Charline Labonte all returning to action after missing last year’s event for various reasons.

You’re talking about two of your top five or six forwards, a top-pairing defender and likely your starting goalie. That’s a considerable boost.

2 USA

The squad, coached by former NHLer Ken Klee, is led by power forward Hilary Knight, the reigning worlds most valuable player who is coming off helping the Boston Pride capture the National Women’s Hockey League crown. That’s the American rival of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League, which was won by a Calgary Inferno team featuring the likes of Wickenheiser, Mikkelson and Canadian speedster winger Rebecca Johnston, among others.

The Americans did win this event two years ago in Ottawa and, when asked about the differences of facing Canada on Canadian ice, Knight deadpanned, “you get more boos up here.”

“Honestly, I love playing in Canada,” she continued. “Regardless of whether they’re cheering for us or cheering against, there’s people in the seats watching us play.”

3 Finland

In the 16 years of the worlds, Canada and the U.S. have met in every final, with Canada winning 10. At the same time, Finland has played in every bronze medal game and won 11 of them, including beating the Russians 4-1 for third place last year in Malmo.

They lost 6-2 and 3-0 to Canada at last year’s tournament, and 4-1 to the Americans, so it still appears like a two-team race.

The Finns are expected to feature Jenni Hiirikoski, who has been named the top defender at the past three worlds, along with ageless forward Riikka Valila, 43.

They won’t have star goalie Noora Raty, who is rumoured to have friction with coach Pasi Mustonen and was left off the roster.

4 Switzerland

Goaltender Florence Schelling, the MVP of the 2014 Sochi Olympics, is a game changer all on her own. She turned away 45 shots in a 3-1 loss to Canada in the Sochi semifinals.

Forward Christine Huni, a twotime Olympian, joins the group up front, returning to international action after a five-year absence.

5 Russia

The Russians feature University of Calgary forwards Iya Gavrilova and Alexandra Vafina.

They were the top two scorers in the CIS this past season. Gavrilova had 43 points, including 20 goals, in 28 games. Vafina finished with 35 points.