the Americans in the semi-finals in a shoot out was perhaps the greatest upset in women's hockey history, as it marked the first time in major tournament history that a team other than Canada or the United States played for the championship. International hockey Led by unlikely goaltending hero, Justin Pogge, Canada successfully defended their 2005 title by defeating Russia in the final to win the 2006 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships at Vancouver, British Columbia. Sweden defeated the Czech Republic to win the 2006 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships at Riga, Latvia. European hockey Russian Hockey Super League: The Russian national championship was captured by AK Bars Kazan. Elitserien: Färjestads BK captured the Swedish Elite League title. SM-liiga: HPK won the Finnish national championship. Deutsche Eishockey Liga: Eisbären Berlin won the German national championship. Women's hockey National Women's Hockey League: The Montreal Axion defeated the Brampton Thunder for the NWHL Championship Cup. Western Women's Hockey League: The Calgary Oval X-Treme defeated the Minnesota Whitecaps for the WWHL Champions Cup. On July 13, 2006, the two leagues announced a merger that would see the former WWHL teams compete in the new Western Division of the NWHL. Minor League hockey American Hockey League: The Hershey Bears won the Calder Cup, defeating the Milwaukee Admirals. ECHL: The Alaska Aces won the Kelly Cup, defeating the Gwinnett Gladiators. United Hockey League: The Kalamazoo Wings won the Colonial Cup, defeating the Danbury Trashers. Central Hockey League: The Laredo Bucks won the Ray Miron President's Cup by defeating the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs. Junior A hockey Canadian Junior A Hockey League:The Burnaby Express of the BCHL defeated the Yorkton Terriers of the SJHL to win the 2006 Royal Bank Cup as Canadian "Junior A" national champions. United States Hockey League:The Des Moines Buccaneers defeated the Sioux Falls Stampede to capture the Clark Cup. Season articles