Sustaining women’s hockey growth still post-Olympics issue
Associated PressBEIJING — Speaking less than 24 hours apart over the final two days of the women’s Olympic hockey tournament, the two captains’ messages were emphatic, emotional and similar in their desire to grow the sport. “Obviously, there should be one league, like the NHL, for all of us to compete against the best players,” she added, suggesting Swiss league men’s teams should consider sponsoring women’s teams. At the International Ice Hockey Federation level, newly elected president Luc Tardif attempted to fix a credibility gap, with the governing body criticized for favoring the men’s game over women. “I’m convinced, and I believe in women’s hockey.” Tardif spoke at a news conference originally scheduled to start at 10 a.m., two hours before the women’s gold-medal final.