ice hockey

Japan's women ice hockey team hits big time

27 Comments
By Hidenori Fukuo

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© 2013 AFP

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27 Comments
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"star striker" ?? is this soccer?

3 ( +5 / -2 )

"Ace striker" ?? Whoever translates this should have some knowledge about hockey...

4 ( +5 / -1 )

"star striker" is an assault on my senses and a crime against humanity to compare the most exciting sport on earth (hockey) with the most boring (soccer)

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

The star striker

It should read star FORWARD. Its forwards, defenders and goalies in Hockey.

But anyways massive congratulations girls! Hope you do well next year in Sochi, though not too well against Finland!

The female counterparts are doing well really though. The senior women's team are in the Olympics and at the start of the year the Under 18 girls team won promotion to the top division.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Striker?! Sniper might be a little closer. Anyway, happy for the girls. Glad to hear they will get some funding now. Win the gold? How about win a game! Setting their sights a little high aren't they? Prepare to lose about 18-0 if you play Canada girls.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

The girls are lucky because the 3 top ranked teams Canada, US and Finland are in Group A while they are in Group B. But with Sweden and Russia I'd be very surprised if they make it passed the group stage. But I do like a good upset.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Hurry up!! Your North American (especially) and Russian neighbours need some competition! It would be awesome to have some quality Asian teams.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Hurry up!! Your North American (especially) and Russian neighbours need some competition! It would be awesome to have some quality Asian teams.

The ALH is still a very young league and it will take a lot of funding for development of youth players and advertising to get the league to the level of the majority of the European leagues. Though I doubt it could become like the NHL, KHL or SM-Liiga. But teams have attracted some former NHL players in the past.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Glad to see an article about them!

Japan should hang its head in shame with regards to how female athletes and funding is done here. They're doing more than the men, have a chance to be ranked in the top... Why are these women working crappy jobs so they can get the free time to practice?! Companies snap men up and give them good pay and free time. Where is that happening for the women?

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Sadly like in of these types of sports the men get more funding than the women. But unlike in countries such as Canada, Finland, USA & Russia where Hockey is a massive sport and the women also receive funding. Hockey is still a minority sport in Japan so the women wouldn't receive the funding because it just isn't there.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

just another excuse for japan to make an new"plucky little "japanese" martyr complex story while ignoring the way they treat women in everyday life...but then again for most women here as long as they can enjoy their hubbys wages they are quite happy to enjoy life in thier bubble...these type of stories are very north korean in a way..

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Anyone know their team nickname? The soccer women were "Nadeshiko" (which is all and well for a wuss game, but not sufficient for a warrior sport).

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Hockey is still a minority sport in Japan so the women wouldn't receive the funding because it just isn't there.

But it COULD be there and that's my point. If the sport assioc can find the moneuy to fly the average Japanese men's soccer team 1st class to London, they can fund these women. If they can continue to pour money into the Tokyo bid, they can find the money. But they won't. Even if they win, like the women's soccer team, they will STILL be treated as second class athletes. All while the media and public bleat on about how great they are. It's sick.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

And i will scream if they make their uniforms have pink on them.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

Definitely. No pink on a hockey uniform!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

They won through in the final qualifying tournament in Slovakia this month and will be the first Japanese women's hockey team to take part in a Winter Olympics.

The Japan Women's team participated in Nagano in 1998 with a record of 0-5 with 2 goals for and 45 goals against.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Definitely. No pink on a hockey uniform!

Two words for you: Calgary Hitmen.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Always good to see minnows get up! Good luck to these amateurs - hope they can nab a medal in Russia!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

plenty of pink on the canadian womens uniforms in the past ... and plenty of pinkiness for the team at the last winter olympics. those women know how to party!!!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Multi, what pink are you referring to? This is an issue I have with sports wear makers. Pink, baby blue and other crap colour. Add in hearts, polka dots.. meh.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

C'mon, lighten up guys ! Give the ladies a fighting chance ! Ganbarre Nippon !

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Do they fight in JP hockey. I know it's an aggressive sport and I love it. I was disappointed that the US hockey season was shortened due to labour issues.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

But it COULD be there and that's my point. If the sport assioc can find the moneuy to fly the average Japanese men's soccer team 1st class to London, they can fund these women.

The Japan Ice Hockey Federation is a completely different organization to the Japan Football Association. So the spending in one wouldn't have any effect on the other. Since the qualification though the JIHF has pledged 300 million yen while the official sponsor have offered 100 million yen to the team for next year.

Do they fight in JP hockey.

Yes fighting does occur in the ALH though its not as frequent as the North American or European leagues nor is it as aggressive.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Do they fight in JP hockey. I know it's an aggressive sport and I love it. I was disappointed that the US hockey season was shortened due to labour issues.

If you're talking about the amateur leagues, no. Not really anymore. They cracked down on it a few years ago. Now, if you fight, you get banned for a load of games. One fight can wipe out your whole season, and some of the next.

As KariHaruka said, it does happen in ALH, but rarely.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Pink, baby blue and other crap colour.

tmarie: What's wrong with colors like pink or baby blue? I often see American sports teams sporting pink ribbons in support for breast cancer. The NFL traditionally has coaches and players sporting pink caps on the sidelines, with players often wearing pink shoes. And the NFL is considered one of the most "manly" sports alongside hockey. Also, you can buy a lot of pink alternative hockey jerseys of teams like Montreal, on the Internet.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Wake me up when they get a women's roller derby team.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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