The 2008 IIHF Women's World Championships were held from 4 to 12 April 2008, in Harbin, People's Republic of China. The games took place at the event's main arena, Baqu Arena. It was the 11th holding of the IIHF Women's World Championship and was organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). The Division I tournament was played in Ventspils, Latvia, at the Ice Hall of the Ventspils Olimpiskais Centrs from March 10 through March 16, 2008. The Division II tournament was held during 25 to 30 March 2008 at the ('Sports Institute of Finland') in Vierumäki, Finland. Promotions and relegations reflected the results of the 2007 Women's World Ice Hockey Championships. For the 11th-straight Top Division tournament, met the in the gold medal match and, for only the second time, the American team defeated the Canadians for the gold medal. This tournament was the first IIHF Women's tournament in which the host nation (in this case, ) failed to medal. competed for a medal for the first time, losing to in the bronze medal game. Top Division Preliminary round Group A All times local (GMT+8). Group B All times local (GMT+8). Group C All times local (GMT+8). Qualifying round Group D (1–3 Place) All times local (GMT+8). Group E (4–6 Place) All times local (GMT+8). Consolation round Group F (7–9 Place) All times local (GMT+8). is relegated to Division I for the 2009 Women's World Ice Hockey Championships due to having the worst goal difference in the consolation round, as all three teams won 1 game and amassed exactly 3 points each. Final round Match for third place All times local (GMT+8). Final All times local (GMT+8). Final standings Source: Awards and Statistics Scoring leaders GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/− = Plus-minus; PIM = Penalties In MinutesSource: IIHF.com Goaltending leaders (minimum 40% team's total ice time) TOI = Time on ice (minutes:seconds); GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average; Sv% = Save percentage; SO = ShutoutsSource: IIHF.com Directorate Awards Goaltender: Noora Räty, Defenseman: Angela Ruggiero, Forward: Natalie Darwitz, Source: IIHF.com Media All-Stars Goaltender: Noora Räty Defensemen: Julie Chu, Emma Laaksonen Forwards: Jayna Hefford, Hayley Wickenheiser, Natalie Darwitz MVP: Noora Räty Source: Division I The following teams took part of the Division I tournament, which was played in Ventspils, Latvia, at the Ice Hall of the Ventspils Olimpiskais Centrs