Sweden blazes trail in women's hockey

LAUREN BELLEFONTAINE came off the ice after a game in Sweden’s top women’s hockey league and detailed the toll her body had just taken.
“I got a stick to the collarbone tonight and also a hit to the head. Definitely some bumps and bruises,” she said with a smile. “But I’m feeling fine.”
Growing up in Canada, Bellefontaine kept hearing people ask why there was no hitting in women’s hockey. It has taken a move to northern Sweden for her to discover the more physical side of the sport.
More from this author

As the transformation of the game in Europe continues, Umea IK is among the unfashionable clubs of yesteryear who know they can no longer compete

Steve Douglas cover the aftermath of Usyk's Saturday night victory
Similar stories

As the transformation of the game in Europe continues, Umea IK is among the unfashionable clubs of yesteryear who know they can no longer compete

JAMES NALTON writes how the Four Nations Face-Off brought with it extra political tensions and added a further competitive edge