CZECH REPUBLIC RECORDS FIRST WIN AT 5-3 TRIUMPH OVER FINLAND

by Heather McIntyre

For the Czech Republic, the 2008 IIHF World Women’s Under-18 Championship is a new kind of tournament, having never iced a U18 women’s team before. But after Tuesday’s 5-3 win versus Finland, they’ll certainly be back for more.

Both teams headed into the game looking for their first win of the tournament, and it was Finland got on the board first, with Linda Valimaki scoring a mere two minutes into the game.

Katerina Mrazova answered for the Czechs ten minutes later, putting a backhand behind goaltender Piia Raty after a beautiful toe drag.

The teams alternated goals before the end of the opening frame, with Pia Lund scoring for the Finns and Alena Polenska responding for the Czechs.

Polenska registered her second of the game midway through the middle frame, roofing a backhand over the shoulder of Finnish goaltender Piia Raty for a 3-2, but the Finns responded, and it was Valimaki who did the deed, pulling her team even just four minutes after Polenska’s goal.

Lucie Povova capped a back-and-forth period by giving the Czechs the lead at 4-3, taking a pass from Polenska and sending the Czechs to the intermission up by a goal.

Popova gave the Czechs some breathing room with five-and-a-half minutes to go, flipping the puck over a sprawling Jenna Juutilainen, who replaced an injured Raty early in the third period.

Povova won Player of the Game honours for the Czech Republic, while Niina Makinen took the award for the Finns.

Both teams are back in action Wednesday, with the Czechs facing off against Germany at 7:30 p.m. MT at Norma Bush Arena. Finland will look for their first win against Canada at 7:45 p.m. MT at Father David Bauer Arena.