HOCKEY CANADA
2004 IIHF Women's World Championship
| Russia 1 Finland 2 |
Qualifier |
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Team Finland earned a trip to the bronze medal game with a 2-1 win over Team Russia Monday afternoon, but more importantly they earned a berth in the 2006 Olympics. Finland will most likely play the United States in the bronze medal game unless Team Sweden defeats the U.S. by at least five goals in tonight’s game. The winner of Sweden and the U.S. will play for the gold medal against Canada. It didn’t look good early on for the Finnish squad as the Russians were the first on the board scoring just 20 seconds into the game. “That was an easy goal and our goalie said that she doesn’t see nothing and that’s why it looked so easy,” said Finnish head coach Hannu Saintula. On the bench Saintula was careful not to let his team fall behind “No. I can’t think about that,” he said. “Our players, they have so much skills they can score, but they cannot be nervous. The second period was a very good start for us.” As far as the 2004 IIHF World Women’s Hockey Championships go, Team Finland has accomplished its goal. “Now we are in the Olympics and that is the most important thing at this moment,” Saintula said. Following Russia’s first goal, scored by Olga Volkova, Finland countered with two of their own in the second period. Finalnd’s goals were scored by Mari Saarinen and Nora Tallus. Russian goaltender Irina Gashennikova played another strong game, stopping 31 of 33 shots. On April 1st she stopped 59 of 67 USA shots in an 8-0 loss. “We play three times in Finland against Russia and she was so good, as she was (against the U.S.),” said Emma Laaksonen. Before their practise this morning, Saintula said he fully expected to beat Russia. Part of the reason was prior to the WWC Finland defeated Russia three straight times, albeit by scores of 3-2, 3-2 and 2-1. “I have to say we know very well how the Russians play,” he said. “We know that it’s very difficult to play against Russian team. They play only defense and the goalie, she’s ok.” IIHF GAME SUMMARY |
| Box Score |
 |
RUS
|
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
| Compte |
 |
FIN
|
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
 |
| Scoring/Buts : 00.20 1 - 0 EQ Russia 26. VOLKOVA, Olga (14. BORISOVA, Marina) Penalties/Pénalités : 10.04 2 min Finland 26. SAVIKUJA, Henna Elbowing 07.16 2 min Finland 18. TALLUS, Nora Body Checking |
 |
| Scoring/Buts
: 21.44 1 - 1 EQ Finland 17. SAARINEN, Mari (7. BRUUN, Merita) (21. SIMILA, Eveliina) 28.40 1 - 2 PP1 Finland 18. TALLUS, Nora Game Winning Goal (9. MERTANEN, Terhi) Penalties/Pénalités : 38.52 2 min Finland 20. SIRVIO, Saija Body Checking 27.27 2 min Russia 18. SILAEVA, Yulia Tripping |
 |
| Scoring/Buts
: Penalties/Pénalités : |
| Players of the Game | RUS | - | |||
| Joueurs du partie | FIN | - | |||
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|
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| Goaltenders | RUS | 20. GASHENNIKOVA, Irina | |||
| Gardiens de but | FIN | 30. WIIK, Heidi | |||
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| Shots on Goal by | Shots on Goal by |
1st/1re |
2nd/2e |
3rd/3e |
Final |
| Shots on Goal by | RUS |
4 |
6 |
3 |
13 |
| Tirs au but par | FIN |
8 |
15 |
11 |
34 |
|
|
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| Officials | Referee/Arbitre | HENDERSON Sarah | |||
| Officiels | Linesmen/ Juges des lignes |
PELLERIN Christine O-BRIAN Kellim |
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| Attendance/Assistance | 5,976 | ||||
Bronze medal battle
By Adam Jacobs
Finland and Russia battle to see who makes it to the bronze medal game at 4:00 p.m. Monday in Halifax.
And if Finnish head coach Hannu Saintula has anything to say about it, it will be his team in tomorrow’s third place game.
“It’s a very important game for us,” he said before today’s morning practice. “This is an experience for us because if we win this we are in the Olympics for 2006. But also the bronze medal game is important for our team and our federation.”
In the weeks prior to the Championship the two teams met three times, with Finland winning all three, albeit by close measures, 3-2, 3-2 and 2-1.
“They were very close games, but we beat them three times,” Saintula said. “That’s why I have to say it’s going to be a very heavy evening.”
The Russian team chose to opt out of their morning practice, an early 8:45 a.m. session.
A loss for either team means they are out of the medal round.
“If we play as well as we can and the Russians beat us, then I can’t say I am not happy,” the Finnish coach said. “But, if the players play as well as they could at this moment then I can say I am satisfied.”
Saintula said at the end of the evening his team should have something to be excited about.
“I really trust we will beat Russia this evening.”
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For more information: Kalli Quinn Director, Female National Teams | Équipes nationales féminines |
