RAVENSBURG, GER – Canada’s National Women’s Under-22 Team has won the 2007 European Air Canada Cup following a 6-1 win over host Germany in Sunday’s gold medal game. It is the fifth time in as many years Canada has won this event.

The Canadians dominated their opponents in the tournament, outscoring the opposition 32-1 on their way to a perfect 4-0 record. Canada has lost just once in 16 games since the European Air Canada Cup began in 2003.

Sixteen-year-old Rebecca Johnston (Sudbury, ON) led the way offensively in the gold medal game, scoring once and adding two assists as the Canadians broke open a 1-1 game with five unanswered goals in the final 40 minutes to quiet the crowd of more than 2,600. The veteran line of Ashley Riggs (Pickering, ON), Sarah Vaillancourt (Sherbrooke, QC) and Meghan Agosta (Ruthven, ON) combined for six points in the gold medal game, with Vaillancourt and Agosta setting up Riggs for a pair of goals. Sabrina Harbec (Montreal, QC), Dominique Thibault (L’Orignal, ON) and Melanie Gagnon (St. Adolphe, MB) also scored for the Canadians.

Riggs, Vaillancourt and Agosta were Canada’s top offensive producers in the tournament, with Agosta collecting 10 points (4G 6A), Vaillancourt finishing with nine (4G 5A) and Riggs seven (4G 3A). Harbec (4G 3A) and Johnston (3G 4A) also finished the tournament with seven points each. The Canadians spread around the scoring throughout the tournament, with 21 of the team’s 22 players recording at least one point.

Canada’s defence was stellar throughout the tournament, allowing just a single goal in 240 minutes of play. Goaltenders Laura Hosier (Sharon, ON) and Shannon Szabados (Edmonton, AB) were rock solid between the pipes, allowing only a goal to the Germans in Sunday’s gold medal game – a goal that came with the Canadians two players short.

Blueliner Annie Guay (Rouyn-Noranda, QC) was awarded the Top Defenceman Award from the tournament directorate, while Riggs was joined by defencemen Bobbi Jo Slusar (Swift Current, SK) and Tessa Bonhomme (Sudbury, ON) on the tournament all-star team.

Canada’s National Women’s Under-22 Team will fly home on Monday, with all players and staff returning to their club and school teams throughout North America.