Sports Illustrated: Women's Worlds notebook: Germany, Finland closing the gap with U.S., Canada →

PLYMOUTH, Mich.—When it comes to women's hockey, the gap between USA and Canada and the rest of the world has never been this narrow, and the growth of the game worldwide has never been more evident. he 2017 Women’s World Championships will be remembered for the historic wins by Finland and now Germany. The gap still exists—no one is contending that true parity has been reached. But in a week where USA Hockey’s Executive Director Dave Ogrean worried that U.S. and Canadian investments in their own programs might harm European hockey, the proof being put forth by these teams feels all the more poignant.