Gold for USA’s women’s team

As expected it was an all North American battle in the final. USA easily won 5-1 against Russia while Canada had no problems beating Finland 4-1 in the semi finals. In the final it was a very entertaining game with somewhat crazy 50-53 in shots on goal with the game momentum turning around on several occassions. USA dominatade the first and took the lead by Jocelyne Lamoureux but a late equalizer by Gillian Apps who was Canada's best player of the game ended the first period 1-1.

In the second period Jenny Potter gave USA the lead again with a backhand shot on a 4 on 4. In the third Canada dominated but had a hard time creating great chances against the good US defense but with four minutes left to play Rebecca Johnson tied the game with a power play goal. In the overtime Hilary Knight scored the gold medal goal at 7:48 with an easy shot from close range after a close situation in front of the Canadian goal.

"The puck came across the crease just behind the goal line and I put it into the net," a jubilant Knight said to IIHF.com. "It’s a feeling that’s hard to describe when you score such a goal. It was a bit of a gift at the right time."

Finland won the bronze after beating Russia, just as in the final the score was 3-2 after overtime. Finland had 2-0 after two goals from Minnamari Tuominen but Russia came back with two third period goals. 2:49 into the overtime Finland's captain Karoliina Rantamäki scored the game winner. Sweden placed fifth after beating Switzerland after penalty shots in the 5th place game.

Slovakia's goalkeeper Zuzana Tomcikova was selected MVP of the tournament. Making 237 saves in five games she saved her team from relegation and after winning 1-0 and 2-1 in the relegation round Slovakia sent Kazakhstan down to division 1.

Other players on the All Star Team were Meaghan Mikkelson (USA) and Caitlin Cahow (CAN) on defense and Hilary Knight (USA), Michelle Karvinen (FIN) and Hayley Wickenheiser (CAN) on forward. Hilary Knight did not only score the tournament winning goal, she was also the top scorer with 14 points in five games.

 

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