Turin – They were lovably lousy, outshot 158-22 in three Olympic games, yet their body-painted fans chanted “I-tal-ia!” if they simply crossed the center stripe.
The team flailed, flopped and frowned so often against Canada, it surrendered seven goals – in the third period. The final score was 16-0. Even worse, said coach Markus Sparer, his players then asked the Canadians for their autographs.
They were the Shred of Turin.
The Italian women’s hockey team churned out more punch lines than Bode Miller on a bender, outscored 32-1 before packing up their sticks. Their lone goal came Tuesday – eight minutes into their third game – triggering a two-minute national holiday as the arena crowd sang “Volare” and danced in the aisles.
“Before, you had the Jamaican bobsleigh team. Here, you have a hockey team,” said Swedish coach Peter Elander, whose team beat Italy 11-0.
In a field that contains two powerhouses, the United States and Canada, and a murky puddle of also-rans, the Italians weren’t have-nots so much as have-nevers. The squad was tossed together about two weeks ago.
“We can see the difference,” said Italy’s only goal scorer, Sabina Florian, who now returns to her job selling hockey gear. “There is Canada and the USA, then nothing. There is Sweden and Finland, then nothing. There are the Germans and the Swiss, and then, we must go on.”
Well put. Poignant and honest: Olympic women’s hockey, just 8 years old, is gasping for balance as it strives to survive. Last year, softball was bounced from the Games for good, partly because no team could compete with the United States.
That’s why Canada’s 16-0 rout of Italy deeply bothered U.S. star Angela Ruggiero, who seemed to hint that the Canadians ran up the score.
“It’s unfortunate,” Ruggiero said. “It’s their first year. They are the host team. They get a team and … 16-0 doesn’t help their program. And I’m looking long term, not looking short term.
“Canada might have their reasons, but for the sport to grow, you need those goal differentials to get smaller.
“I was just thinking, I don’t know if the Italian (sports) federation will start a (women’s hockey) team now.”
Canada, a chilly Team USA rival and a sure bet to clash with the Americans for a third straight gold-medal final, did not try to embarrass the Italians, its players said.
“If we don’t play hard, it’s not going to help our game grow,” forward Cherie Piper said. “But if anyone watched our game, you can tell we were working on things.”
What things?
Puck movement, the power play and forechecking, Piper said.
So an Olympic game, for one night, is treated as a hockey practice.
At least the crowd enjoyed it.
“Against Canada, the people sing the national anthem of Italy (during the game) and I cry on the bench,” Florian said, “because it is so nice.”
Staff writer Bill Briggs can be reached at 303-820-1720 or bbriggs@denverpost.com.
