No team in the NCAA had more players suited up for the 2009 MLP Cup (formerly the Air Canada Cup) in Ravensburg, Germany this past week than the No.3 University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team.

The Bulldogs had eight currently rostered players, as well as three UMD alums don jerseys for their respective national teams Jan. 2-6.  Team Sweden, which was led by Bulldog rookies Pernilla Winberg -- with a tourney-high of seven points (2g, 5a) -- and defenseman Jenni Asserholt (1a), upset Canada's U-22 Team 2-1 in the championship game Tuesday night.  

Team Canada, which was chalk-full of UMD players who had already been members of Canada's seven-straight Air Canada Cup titles in previous years, was anchored by sophomore forwards Haley Irwin, Laura Fridfinnson, junior forward Emmanuelle Blais and sophomore defenseman Jocelyne Larocque. Irwin tallied six points (2g, 4a) over the four days, while Blais added three assists.  Fridfinnson picked up a goal and a dish, and Larocque -- who suited up for the Canadian National Team in November for the Four Nations Cup -- added an assist.

UMD captain and junior forward Saara Tuominen, as well as junior blueliner Heidi Peltarri skated for Team Finland, with Tuominen registering a goal.  They were joined by former Bulldog Anna-Kaisa Piiroinen, who made an appearance between the pipes for Finland.  

In addition to Winberg and Asserholt, Team Sweden received the services of two former Bulldog All-Americans Maria Rooth and Erika Holst.  Holst racked up three goals and three assists for six points on the week, while Rooth scored one goal and added two assists.

All eight current Bulldogs will return Wednesday, Jan. 7, and after taking a day of practice off Thursday, will rejoin their No. 3 UMD team as it prepares to do battle with No. 1 Wisconsin this weekend at the DECC.  The rematch of last season's title game will get underway Saturday at 7:07 p.m., with the final regular season game of 2008-09 between the two titans set to start Sunday at 3:07 p.m.