IIHF - Global Girls’ Game

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Global Girls’ Game

by Andy Potts, Lucas Aykroyd, Martin Merk|17 FEB 2023

It's Blue vs. White time at the 2023 Global Girls' Game in this picture in the Philippines and in 40 other countries.

photo: Yuka Fukuma

This weekend it’s time for the Global Girls’ Game. Played annually since 2015, this long game takes place all weekend long – and a few games also outside the weekend – from all over the world from Asia, Oceania to the Middle East, Europe, Africa and over to North, Central and South America.

In 40 games in as many countries Team Blue will play Team White and the scores and aggregate score will be updated on IIHF.com and the @iihfhockey social media channels along with short stories and impressions from the venues.

Make sure to come back and follow us as the Global Girls’ Game progresses during the weekend.

Team Blue	Team White
226	216

No. Day	Country City	Time (local/CET)	Score B-W

1	Singapore	23:00	2-1
8/2	Singapore	16:00
Comments: Players from the national team, the developmental squad and recreational players of varying experience made up the group of 22 who participated in the game. As things stand right now, it will be the last Global Girls Game in Singapore for some time, as the only available rink in the country will close in early August.

2	Croatia	23:00	9-11
11/2	Zagreb	17:00
Comments:

3	Belarus	16:00	11-5
12/2	Grodno	14:00
Comments: 63 female ice hockey players from 18 cities of Belarus took part in the second women's game in the history of Belarusian ice hockey. Watched by more than 53,000 viewers on the Belarusian Ice Hockey Association’s YouTube channel, the game took place on the ice of the Trinity Shopping Centre in Grodno. The game was split into a younger group player 3-on-3 hockey while the older ones played 5-on-5. The combined score was a 11-5 win for Team Blue coached by two-time Russian Olympian Anna Prugova.

4	Türkiye	17:10	-
14/2	Istanbul	15:10
Comments: Due to the devastating earthquakes in Türkiye, ice hockey events are currently paused in the country and the game could not take place.

5	Malaysia	23:30	10-6
Fri	Selangor	16:30
Comments: 13 female players from various clubs took part in Malaysia’s Global Girls’ Game played at the Bandar Sunway ice rink in Selangor. Although they have different skill level, they enjoyed playing among girls. Two players from Team Blue, Zara Batrisyia and Carmen Lee, both had hat tricks.

6	Brazil	20:15	5-3
Fri	Sao Paulo	00:15
Comments: A hastily-arranged event in Sao Paulo enabled Brazil to join in the Global Girls’ Game. A total of 14 girls took part in a 3x3 game as the culmination of extra practice time provided by the country’s hockey federation. That additional ice time brought very good progress for the players, and the game finished in a 5-3 victory for Team Blue. As well as the game, the girls also had a skills contest. Tabi produced the fastest lap, circling the rink in 10:54 seconds, while Amanda’s three goals put her on top in the shoot-out contest. Izabel Nori was recognised as the best goalie on the day.

7	Australia	12:00	9-7
Sat	Melbourne	02:00
Comments: Today’s Melbourne Global Girls Game Lightning Tournament saw 52 players and three goalies organised into four teams to compete in a three-hour round robin game. They played 12 games in total, and each one finished with a close margin. In the end Team Blue (the combined Yellow & Orange teams) edged Team White (Green & Red) 9-7. This was a great event, bringing together junior, senior & masters players to battle it out and celebrate Women’s Hockey!

8	Oman	07:30	6-7
Sat	Muscat	04:30
Comments: Oman’s Global Girls’ Game was a highly competitive 45-minute affair with the result in the balance until the very last shift. In the end, Team White edged a 7-6 verdict. Throughout the game, both teams switched players every two minutes to ensure plenty of ice time for everyone. A handful of players stood out: Aisha Ambusaidi, Dalal Ambusaidi, lfardous Al-Kindi, Fatma Al-Hajri and Jacklyn LaBonte.

9	New Zealand	16:30	6-9
Sat	Christchurch	04:30
Comments: At Alpine Ice Sports Centre in Christchurch, New Zealand, players ranging from age 9 to 59 played in two games, geared to different experience levels. In the first game with 20 players, strong defence and solid goaltending by Paige Salay and Kelly Cox kept the score low. A Team Blue goal by Bronte Fitzhardinge wasn’t enough, as Team White got goals from Veronica Khorozova and Savanah Webb. The second game with 19 players featured strong offensive performances. Both Gabrielle Guerin (Blue) and Stephanie Koviessen (White) scored hat tricks, and Team White came out on top in another close game. While Team White bested Team Blue with a combined score of 9 to 6 on the day, everyone had a great time playing the sport they love and being part of the Global Girls’ Game!

10	Romania	09:30	3-2
Sat	Bucharest	08:30
Comments: Bucharest welcomed 24 skaters and two goalies for this year's Global Girls' Game. The action on the ice was intense, and Team Blue edged a hard-fought 3-2 verdict.

11	Kazakhstan	15:00	4-9
Sat	Pavlodar	10:00
Comments: It was a big day for the next generation of female players in Kazakhstan. The GGG event in Pavlodar involved 29 players, born between 2003 and 2009. Taking part in an IIHF was a big thrill for the girls, who were given special stickers for their helmets to mark the occasion. Team White came out on top, winning 9-4, while Viktoriya Sazonova, head coach of Kazakhstan’s women’s team, praised the young players for scoring “a lot of beautiful goals”.

12	Estonia	12:30	2-1
Sat	Kohtla-Jarve	11:30
Comments: In Estonia, the Global Girls’ Game was also the championship decider in the PAF Women’s Hockey League. Kohtla-Järve HC Everest beat defending champion Tallinn HK Roosa Panther 2-1 (0-1, 1-0, 1-0) to win its third title. Roosa Panther took the lead in the opening frame on Edith Pärnik's goal. HC Everest responded with two goals from captain Anna Fedjajeva to clinch the championship for the Ida-Virumaa women's team.

13	Japan	19:45	2-3
Sat	Tokyo	11:45
Comments: Japan’s 2023 GGG was part of the Tokyo Women’s Ice Hockey League. Tokyo Women’s College of Physical Education represented Team White, and claimed a narrow verdict over Silver Seals, representing Team Blue. They produced an exciting game at the DyDo Drinco Ice Arena in the Japanese capital, with the teams deadlocked at 2-2 until late in the game. However, with 46 seconds left on the clock, Natsuki Asahi scored a beautiful game-winner to give the College the edge.

14	Norway	12:00	10-10
Sat	Asker	12:00
Comments: It was honours even in Norway as Team Blue and Team White tied at 10-10. There were 23 girls at this event in Asker.

15	Sweden	12:00	4-3
Sat	Lulea	12:00
Comments:

16	Philippines	20:45	1-7
Sat	Pasay	13:45
Comments: This was a night to remember for the girls in the Philippines. It was the first time their country had held a full game just for girls, attracting 40 skaters and two goalies. Every player, experienced or rookie, was local to the rink in Pasay and the game was a great chance for everyone to get to know each other while playing together. Although the final score was a big win for Team White, the most important thing was the chance to highlight how girls’ hockey is growing in the Philippines by putting a new generation of players in the spotlight.

17	Kuwait	17:45	3-4
Sat	Kuwait City	13:45
Comments: Kuwait welcomed 26 players to its Global Girls’ Game event. To mark the occasion, the organisers tried to switch things up, putting girls on different lines and giving them the chance to play different positions. It was a great day for everyone, with Team White edging a 4-3 win.

18	Hungary	14:00	1-9
Sat	Budapest	14:00
Comments: Hungary's event saw 35 players come together to take part in the Global Girls' Game. There were 29 skaters and six goalies involved in Budapest. Team White had the better of the game, picking up a 9-1 victory.

19	Great Britain	13:15	19-14
Sat	Bracknell	14:15
Comments: Great Britain staged its event at The Ozone in Bracknell, Berkshire. This year, the Global Game adopted the future Olympic 3x3 format and it produced a fast-paced, action packed game. Bracknell welcomed an exciting array of U18 talent from across the country, with 20 rising stars taking part. Both goalies deserve special mention: Abigail Ransom (Guildford) and Sophia Adamson (Chelmsford) are both only 10 years old and dealt with constant pressure throughout the game. These two have very bright futures ahead of them. The scoring was frantic and fast with Isabelle Eggington (Queen Bees) recording seven goals and Vivian McGee (Streatham) claiming six for the blue team. The White team shared the scoring a little more evenly with hat tricks going to two Queen Bees players Isabelle Bennett and Sophie Games. A fiercely contested game, with end-to-end action – we can’t wait for next year! Britain also staged a second event in Dumfries, Scotland, which recently hosted the IIHF Women's U18 Division IIA. In total, 70 girls took part across the two venues.

20	Canada	12:00	3-3
Sat	Gander NL	16:30
Comments: For the 2023 Canadian leg of the Global Girls Game, Hockey Canada committed to working with all Provincial and Territorial Members to create unity from coast to coast to coast surrounding this event. Therefore, we aimed to highlight and empower girls playing hockey, with representation from every Member across the country competing on the same teams, in the same game on the same day! Hockey Canada provided gifting and a professional photographer to be on site for each game to capture content. Additionally, the game taking place between Team Canada and Team USA Women’s National Teams on Feb 20th will recognize participation of both Federations in the Global Girls Game. Players will be wearing GGG helmet stickers, and recognition of the GGG will be shared on the National Broadcast.

21	Slovakia	18:00	10-3
Sat	Bratislava	18:00
Comments: The Global Girls Game in the Slovak capital was part of EWHL (European Women's Hockey League) play between the host HC SKP Bratislava (serving as Team Blue) and KSV Neuberg Highlanders (serving as Team White). Barbora Kapicakova, a two-time IIHF Women's World Championship participant, scored twice for Bratislava. Livia Kubekova, who tied for Slovakia's scoring lead at the November 2021 Olympic qualification tournament in Sweden, also had two goals in this win.

22	France	18:10	4-0
Sat	Anglet	18:10
Comments: The French Women’s Championship game between Bordeaux / Anglet and Grenoble formed France’s contribution to the Global Girls’ Game. Grenoble, representing Team Blue, took a 4-0 victory led by two goals from Camille Dacosta. Although the final score was a convincing win for Grenoble, the game was alive until the closing stages when two late goals took it away from the home team. All the players enjoyed taking part in the Global Girls’ Game and are looking forward to having more opportunities like this in the future.

23	Latvia	19:15	2-4
Sat	Riga	18:15
Comments: In an intense game between the young girls of the Riga Hockey School and the Lithuanian national team, the guests from Lithuania came out on top. The game was intense into the third period, and both teams had equal chances to celebrate the victory. Fast and dynamic play by both teams gave the fans a chance to enjoy national-level hockey. The key to the Lithuanian victory was the successful game of Klara Muller, who led all scorers with a hat trick and an assist. Nikola Selevia played a strong game in net for HS Riga. The Lithuanians' fourth goal was an empty-netter after Riga pulled the goalie for a sixth skater. Most of the HS Riga girls played for the Latvian women's U18 hockey team at the 2023 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women's World Championship Division II Group A in Great Britain, where they finished second behind Australia. Meanwhile, the Lithuanian national team is participating in the Baltic Women's Hockey Championship to prepare for the 2023 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's World Championship Division III in Romania.

24	Bosnia & Herzegovina	18:30	5-6
Sat	Sarajevo	18:30
Comments: In Sarajevo, the host city of the 1984 Winter Olympics, players from ZHK Lavice (Lionesses) played an inter-squad match between the senior and junior players. A special shift was reserved for the youngest girls (U8), who showcased their abiltiies and joined in the fun. All in all, there were 25 participants.

25	Spain	21:45	2-0
Sat	Majadahonda	21:45
Comments:

26	South Africa	05:30	8-6
Sun	Johannesburg	04:30
Comments:

27	Finland	10:00	17-11
Sun	Ylivieska	09:00
Comments: In total, 40 female players from local hockey clubs hit the ice in Ylivieska, which is located an hour and a half south of Oulu by car. It was JK and Cowboys (Blue) versus JHT and Huskit (White) The participants in the two games were aged between 6 to 14 years old. Great fun was had by all.

28	Germany	09:45	2-9
Sun	Troisdorf	09:45
Comments: Players from 14 different teams came together in Troisdorf for the German leg of the Global Girls’ Game. The event was organized by the Cologne Sharks and EHC Troisdorf Dynamite, with support from the Regional Ice Hockey association. A total of 34 girls born between 2005 and 2010 formed the two teams. The first period was a close affair, with Team White taking a slender 2-1 lead into the intermission. It remained tight for much of the second period, but towards the end Team White managed to take control of the game and led 5-1 at the second break. Team Blue fought hard until the end, but struggled to break down some great defence and goaltending. The Whites added four more goals but Team Blue deservedly had the final say with a consolation effort three minutes before the end. The organizers saw a lot of smiling players, parents and fans on and around the ice rink but also a fast and intense ice hockey match between two committed girls teams.

29	Netherlands	10:45	2-7
Sun	Tilburg	10:45
Comments: It’s Carnival season in the Netherlands, and the women of Tilburg Trappers and Amstel Tigers got into the party spirit for the Global Girls’ Game. The players donned wigs, scarves and fancy dress for their warm-up before getting down to the serious business on the ice. The Trappers got the party started with the opening goal. However, perhaps distracted by the five days of festivities going on around town, the Tilburg team lost its way. Amsterdam took advantage to open up a commanding lead. In the third period, Tilburg recovered some ground, but the damage had already been done.

30	Switzerland	11:00	5-2
Sun	Sursee	11:00
Comments: Sursee in Central Switzerland welcomed 32 girls aged from 10-12 for the 2023 Global Girls’ Game. Team Blue (playing in red) opened the scoring when Emilia Weibel from HC Innerschwyz potted a rebound. That paved the way for her team to open a 4-0 lead in the first half of a fast-paced game. Fabienne Henggeler, from the youth section of Swiss Champion EV Zug, scored the fourth marker with a nice shot to the far side. In the second period, Team White got on the board thanks to Elin Tschannen from EHC Schwarzenburg. After several near misses, there was great excitement about finally finding the net. However, Team Blue replied immediately. Late in the game, Nora Bourigault from EHC Bern 96, a team with about 20 girls in their youth section, buried a rebound to give Team White a consolation goal. The party continued after the game as two of the players – Sophie Bucher and Claire Baxter – celebrated their birthdays. And it was all smiles on both teams after everyone – girls, staff, officials and parents – played their part in a committed and skillful game.

31	Lithuania	12:30	2-0
Sun	Riga (LAT)	11:30
Comments: Lithuania’s Global Girls’ Game took place in Riga, Latvia as part of the Baltic Women’s Championship. Laima, representing Team Blue, defeated Lietuva 2-0. Laima’s player-coach Aija Balode was pleased with the team’s discipline. “Before the game, we gave certain players specific tasks and they fulfilled them pretty well to get us a positive result. We lost our way a little early in the third, but we were able to get back to our gameplan and close out the win. Our young players also made a good impression.” Lietuva head coach Raimondas Strimaitis, who also coaches the national team, could see progress in the third meeting between the two clubs. “This game was better than the earlier games against Laima. Unfortunately, we couldn’t take our chances and we didn’t score. If we managed just one goal, that could have changed the game. Even though we were missing some leading players, I thought our team played well.”

32	Belgium	11:45	8-5
Sun	Mechelen	11:45
Comments: There were plenty of happy faces in Mechelen for the Belgian leg of the Global Girls’ Game. With the women’s national team away in Cape Town on World Championship duty, numbers were slightly down on last year, but there were still 20 skaters and three goalies involved. The players were aged between 11 and 26 and represented a wide range of experience. It was a close game until midway through the third period, when Team Blue (playing in red) began to move ahead. Team White kept battling until the end, but the Blues skated to an 8-5 win. IIHF referee Marine Dinant, who is soon to officiate at the Women’s Worlds in April, took charge of the game.

33	Czechia	13:15	5-4
Sun	Slany	13:15
Comments: Slany hosted the Czech part of the Global Girls’ game, welcoming 27 players born in 2007, 2008 and 2009. These promising youngsters spent the morning refining their skills alongside the national team coaches before playing their game in the afternoon. Team Blue took the honours, edging a 5-4 verdict.

34	Luxembourg	13:30	6-2
Sun	Luxembourg	13:30
Comments: It's holiday time in Luxembourg and that affected the numbers at this year's Global Girls' Game in Kokelscheuer. Nonetheless, the 14 girls who took part produced an enjoyable game, with Team Blue getting a 6-2 win.

35	Poland	13:30	7-10
Sun	Katowice	13:30
Comments: Sunday afternoon was full of fun and cleanly played hockey. Kojotki Naprzód Janów hosted the youngest female hockey players to celebrate and play the Global Girls Game. Approximately 60 girls aged 5 to 15 played for the Blue and White teams. They were led by three-time Olympian Janusz Adamiec, former national women's team coach Tomasz Marznica, and Joanna Orawska, a current national team forward. It was an upbeat atmosphere that wholeheartedly promoted girls' hockey.

36	Serbia	13:45	5-3
Sun	Novi Sad	13:45
Comments: In Novi Sad, 30 talented Serbian female players gathered to play their part in the Global Girls' Game. Team Blue came out on top, taking a 5-3 verdict.

37	Mexico	11:15	2-4
Sun	Naucalpan	18:15
Comments: The game offered a fun environment, accompanied by upbeat music. The 29 girls who took part in the Mexican capital were very excited to be there.

38	Bulgaria	19:40	5-9
Sun	Sofia	18:40
Comments: In Sofia, 27 players convened who are part of the women's senior and U18 national teams. Split up in two teams, they played as Team Blue and Team White with the better end for the team in white.

39	Lebanon	14:00	6-7
Sun	Montreal (CAN)	20:00
Comments: This Global Girls Game in the Quebec capital welcomed new players, featured fast-paced action that showcased the talents of the 10 participants, and was a fun event from start to finish.

40	USA	16:00	1-5
Sun	Watertown SD	23:00
Comments: This edition of the Global Girls Game saw two 14-and-under girls' teams competing in the South Dakota state championship. A total of 36 players took part.

41	Iran	20:30	8-4
Sun	Tehran	23:00
Comments: More than 80 amateur female players from different cities joyfully participated at the Iran Mall Icebox in the Iranian capital. The significant number of young players points to an exciting future for women's hockey in Iran.

42	Italy	13:00	4-1
Tue	Feltre	13:00
Comments: The Italian Ice Sports Federation used the Global Girls’ Game to play a game with 34 female under-16 players who came from all across Italy for a Team Blue vs. Team White game that ended with a 4-1 win for Blue.

2023 Global Girls' Game

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