There will be no Finnish medal in this year’s hockey World Cup either. The women’s hockey team chased an equalizing goal in the third period, but were unable to capitalize on it, giving the Czech Republic a 2–1 win.
Finland went into the quarterfinals against the Czechs as the clear favorite and that started bra. In the first period break, Finland led 1–0 after a goal by Viivi Vainikka.
Just before the match reached the halfway point, the Czech Republic turned the tables. In the space of a minute, 0–1 turned into 2–1 and the Czech’s one-goal lead at the second period break was by no means undeserved.
In the last period, Finland feverishly chased an equaliser, but Blanka Skodova in the Czech goal made a great play and the Damlejonen did not get closer than a post shot. Finland won the shots on goal 18–5 in the final period which was scoreless, and thus the Czech Republic won the game 2–1.
The Czech Republic also won last fall
After 20 straight semi-finals at World Cup level, Finland has now reached the quarter-finals twice in a row. Damlejonen must now focus on playing for places 5–8.
In last year’s World Cup, which was played in August-September, Finland suffered a 1-2 overtime loss against the Czech Republic. Then Finland missed the semi-finals for the first time ever in WC history.
The other quarterfinals are: USA-Germany, Canada-Sweden and Switzerland-Japan. If the North American giants deliver, the USA will face the Czech Republic in the semi-finals, while Canada will face Switzerland or Japan.
The article is being updated…
Results
Czech Republic–Finland 2–1 (0–1, 2–0, 0–0)
15.18 Viivi Vainikka (Noora Tulus, Nelli Laitinen) 0–1
26.46 Natalie Mlynkova (Katerina Mrazova, Denisa Krizova) 1–1
27.35 Katerina Mrazova (Aneta Tejralova, Sara Cajanova) 2–1 PP
Goalkeepers:
Blanka Skodova, CZE: 12+11+18=41
Years Keisala, FIN: 11+4+5=20
