A fiercely fighting and defensively skilled Swedish team made a match of the World Cup quarter-finals.
Although Canada dominated big and basically parked in the Swedish zone for most of the 60 minutes and won the shooting statistics 57-9.
Sweden has still never defeated Canada in a championship context – now came the 16th straight loss.
But for a new women’s national team – with 13 WC debutants in the squad – it was still a giant step compared to the effort in Beijing.
After many difficult years for Damkronorna, there is now a lightening.
Sweden has not won a championship medal on the women’s side since the 2007 WC when it won bronze.
Now the investment is that the Women’s Crowns will be able to challenge for a medal in the 2026 and 2030 Olympics.
Long way to go
But there is still a short way to go – the distance to Olympic champion and reigning world champion Canada and, for that matter, the USA, the two superior nations in women’s hockey, is gigantic.
But still less than six months ago.
The women’s crowns incurred two expulsions in the first seven minutes of the match – the first through Sara Hjalmarsson already after 29 seconds – and that set the tone for the first period.
There were games in the Swedish zone almost exclusively. But the Women’s Crowns did well, played tightly and aggressively in their own zone and did not allow the Canadians to stand undisturbed in front of goalkeeper Emma Söderberg.
But after a long Canadian attack against the tired Swedes, 1–0 came through defender Jocelyne Larocque, who had to finish from close range after 17.11.
“Proud of the team”
In the second period, the Canadian grip tightened, the Women’s Crowns took three expulsions in a row in the first eleven minutes – but held tight again.
Mainly thanks to a great playing Emma Söderberg who took a real revenge compared to in the Olympics when she was replaced after two periods and nine goals conceded.
In addition, she was well assisted by sacrificial teammates who covered a lot of shots.
But once in the middle period, she was out of luck. Sarah Potomak took advantage of a bad Swedish substitution, drove straight through the defense, rounded Söderberg and made it 2-0 elegantly.
At the end of the period, a good Swedish opportunity came with two Canadian expulsions, but there was no Swedish reward even though it was close – among other things through the back star shot Mira Jungåker.
In the third period, the Canadian pressure continued – and Söderberg made saves, but was beaten a third time by Erin Ambrose.
– Well, it was instructive, I think we played a damn good match according to expectations and everything around. Obviously tough to lose, but I’m still proud of the team, says Mira Ljungåker to SVT.
She is also sure of what is needed for Sweden to be able to keep up with teams like Canada in the future.
— We have to keep up, they play a damn fast game. It is important that we are on our toes the whole match and skate, she says.
Even though the Swedes are out of the medal game, the WC is not over. The four quarter-final losers play for a place in Group A – where the best teams are housed – in the next A World Cup in Canada in the spring.