Olympic Games: Sweden vs Korea, Women’s Group Match

There was a great deal of excitement around the Korean ice hockey team as the first ever sporting collaboration between geographical neighbours but political enemies, North Korea and South Korea. Their second match in this Olympics had an added political dimension: Sweden acts as the mediator between America and North Korea who formally refuse to have political relations with other.

However, any thoughts of a politically neutral match would be ruled out after just 3:41 when Korean youngster Heewon Kim was given a 2 minutes penalty for Roughing after knocking her opponent to the floor in front of the goal. That led to Sweden's first goal as Leksand's Maya Nylén-Persson struck a thunderous shot from the blue line during the resulting power play. 13 minutes later the Swedes were 4-0 ahead and the way through to the quarterfinals seemed almost certain for blue-and-yellow clad team.

Their assistant captain, Pernilla Winberg, has already played in three Olympics gaining one Silver medal as well as winning the Swedish championship with current club, Linköping Dam. That experience paid off as the 29 year old led the way with two goals and one assists as Sweden turned up the heat to end up with an 8-0 victory at the end of normal time.

That meant that there would be no repeat for Korea of that other famous political and hockey drama, the "Miracle on Ice" where the American underdogs' won against Russia in the Cold War classic in 1980. 

The next two matches in group B should be more even contests and Sweden play Switzerland and Japan face hosts Korea. 

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