SWEDES POUND RUSSIA TO SET UP FIRST-PLACE SHOWDOWN WITH USA

by Heather McIntyre

Looking for their second victory in as many nights, Sweden scored early and often en route to a 14-0 win over Russia in 2008 IIHF World Women’s Under-18 Championship action Tuesday.

The win moves the Swedes to a perfect 2-0 and makes Wednesday’s meeting with the 2-0 USA a battle for first place in Pool B.

Cecilia Östberg had a hat trick for the Swedes, and added two assists, while linemates Klara Myrén and Anna Borgqvist – named Player of the Game – also had multiple point games; both finished with two goals and two assists.

Myrén opened the scoring just 3:28 into the game, and the Swedes expanded their lead when Myrén and Annie Svedin netted goals 40 seconds apart halfway through the first frame. Before 20 minutes were up, defenseman Emma Holmbom added to the scoring, putting Sweden up 4-0 heading into the intermission.

The Tre Kronor dominated the second period as well, spending the majority of it in the Russian zone, outshooting their opponents 18-5.

Östberg, Borgqvist, Johanna Fallman, Emma Nordin and Erika Grahn all put pucks past Russian netminder Julia Leskina, who had replaced starter Anna Vinogradova after just eight minutes of play, and three Swedish goals.

Russia’s best chance to find the scoresheet came on Player of the Game Aleksandra Vafina’s breakaway midway through the period, but she was turned away by Swedish goaltender Valentina Lizana.

Vinogradova re-entered the net to begin the final frame, but didn’t fare much better than in her earlier appearance, surrendering goals to Holmbom, Östberg and Lisa Johansson in the period’s opening 10 minutes.

Östberg completed her hat trick at the 12:03 mark and Madeleine Östling rounded out the scoring two minutes later, providing the final margin of victory.

Lizana earned her first shutout of the tournament after surrendering only one goal to the Swiss on Monday. Many other Swedes had stand-out games, but it was Borgqvist who skated away with Player of the Game honours.

Russia will take on the Swiss at Norma Bush Arena at 4 p.m. MT on Wednesday, while Sweden key game against the USA goes at 4:15 p.m. MT at Father David Bauer Arena.