The 2012 IIHF Women's World Championship was the 14th edition of the Top Division of the Women's Ice Hockey World Championship (the 15th edition overall, if the season when only the lower divisions were played is also counted), organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF).
The Top Division tournament took place in Vermont, United States, at the Gutterson Fieldhouse in Burlington, and the Cairns Arena in South Burlington, from April 7 to 14, 2012, and was hosted by USA Hockey. The competition also served as qualifications for the 2013 competition, and the 2014 Olympics.
Canada won their record-extending tenth title by defeating the three-time defending champions United States 5âÂÂ4 in overtime. Caroline Ouellette scored the decisive goal. The Americans defeated the Canadians 9âÂÂ2 in the group stage earlier in the tournament. The Swiss team, by finishing third, captured their first ever Women's World Championship medal.
The Top Division was contested between eight teams from April 7 to April 14, 2012. The event was hosted by USA Hockey in Burlington, Vermont. A new format was used where the top four ranked teams were placed in Group A and were automatically qualified for the final round, and played in the preliminary round was only used to determine seeding for the next round. The top two teams received a bye into the semifinals. Meanwhile, the next four teams played the preliminary round in Group B. The top two teams from Group B joined the others for the final round, while the bottom two team played a best-of-three series, with the loser being relegated next year.
Group A
Group B
Each team's roster for the 2012 IIHF Women's World Championship consisted of at least 15 skaters (forwards, and defencemen) and 2 goaltenders, and at most 20 skaters and 3 goaltenders. All eight participating nations, through the confirmation of their respective national associations, had to submit a roster by the first IIHF directorate meeting on 6 April 2012.
All times are local (Eastern Time Zone â UTCâÂÂ4).
Best of three.
All times are local (Eastern Time Zone â UTCâÂÂ4).
All times are local (Eastern Time Zone â UTCâÂÂ4).
List shows the top 10 skaters sorted by points, then goals.
<small>GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/â = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalties In Minutes<br>Source: IIHF.COM</small>
Only the top five goaltenders, based on save percentage, who have played 40% of their team's minutes are included in this list. <small>TOI = Time on ice (minutes:seconds); SA = Shots against; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average; Sv% = Save percentage; SO = Shutouts<br>Source: IIHF.com</small>
The Division I A tournament was played in Ventspils, Latvia, from March 25 to 31, 2012.
The Division I B tournament was played in Hull, Great Britain, from April 9 to 15, 2012.
The Division II A tournament was played in Maribor, Slovenia, from March 25 to 31, 2012.
The Division II B tournament was played in Seoul, South Korea, from March 10 to 16, 2012.