Tornado Moscow win EWCC

When it comes to European women's ice hockey club competitions Tornado Moscow are the dominant force in recent years. In Bad Tölz the team from Russia won their third consecutive championship by winning all three games in regulation. With now four titles they are tied as the co-record champions together with AIK Solna who won the first four editions of the competition that was first played in 2004. 

Tornado already had won the tournament after wins against the strongest competitors AIK Solna (6-1) and Espoo Blues (3-1). In both games Slovakian goalie Zuzana Tomcikova only allowed one goal each and was rewarded with the award as best goalie of the tournament. In the last group match on Sunday Russian national goalie Anna Prugova who played in the Sochi Olympics in February stood between the posts and recorded a shutout in the win against ESC Planegg (4-0) so that HC Tornado ended the tournament with a perfect 3-0-0-0 record. Tornado's American forward Kelley Steadman recorded 6 points (5 goals, 1 assist) in the three games ans was crowned best forward of the tournament.

AIK Solna were able to get the secon spot despite a sensational loss against German side ESC Planegg (3-4 SO) in the second tournament game on Saturday. In the final game they beat the Espoo Blues (3-1). For Planegg the European adventure started with a loss against Espoo (1-3) before losing against AIK and Tornado for a last place finish. At least Planegg's Swiss player Kathrin Lehmann received the honour as best defender.        

Underdogs Planegg's head coach Brian Ashton said after the tournament: "I am very pleased with my team. We wanted to test ourselves here and not hide. The players gave their maximum effort and gained self-confidence. We almost were at the same level as the other teams, maybe just a centimetre behind. I gained important insight from the way my team played in this tournament and know what we have to improve for the next season."

Final tournament player awards:

Best goalie: Zuzana Tomcikova (Tornado Moscow)

Best defender: Kathrin Lehmann (ESC Planegg)

Best forward: Kelley Steadman (Tornado Moscow)

Final Standings:

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