It was an all-Scandinavian affair in the women’s ice hockey bronze medal match today with Finland proving too strong for their Swedish counterparts.

After a scoreless first period, Finland came out firing in the second, in what turned into a feisty battle for points on the board.

A quick goal from Finnish power player Heidi Pelttari saw the blue and whites in the lead.

The crowd went wild when punches were thrown, sending Katarina Timglas (SWE) and Michelle Karvinen (FIN) off the ice and leaving a four-on-four play for goals.

At a crucial point in the second period, Swedish captain Erika Holst broke her stick leaving the snapped pieces on the ice as she scooted to the stands to get a replacement. This did not stop the 2006 silver medallists from scoring a goal, meeting Finland’s score.

Back off the penalty bench, Karvinen clocked another goal for Finland, sending them into the second intermission in the lead.

In the third period, with 15 minutes of the game remaining and a podium place in sight, Team Sweden equalised with a sweeping side shot goal to Danijela Rundqvist.

Finland’s Mari Saarinen was penalised for body checking with 12 minutes to go, giving Sweden a highly advantageous power play. Unfortunately they were unable to capitalise on the play and the period ended with a 2-2 tie forcing the match into overtime.

The arch rivals came out for the 10 minutes of extra time, each desperate to score the golden point that would see them win bronze.

In the end, it was Finnish player Karoliina Rantamaki that got the puck in the net, claiming bronze for the Finns and sending Sweden home without a medal.

Alice Wheeler
AOC - Vancouver