The Finnish coaching staff did not consider resting Sanni Ahola during the match in view of the bronze medal match. The expert would have replaced Ahola from the goal after the second period.
The Women’s Ice Hockey World Cup will be played in Utica, USA. follows the events of the Games on ‘s digital services, Urheilurutu and Urheiluradio.
In the semi-finals of the Ice Hockey World Cup, the Naisleijonat clearly lost to the biggest pre-favorite of the games, the United States. The reigning champion defeated Finland bluntly with 5–0 goals.
There was the best of Finland Sanni Ahola, who made a total of 50 saves. Finland had only 15 shots on the US goal.
– There were no divisions in Finland. The ratio of shots tells quite a lot about the picture of the game. The puck was in Finland’s head a lot. The only positive thing was Sanni Ahola. Without his good game, the readings would have been worse, Urheilu’s expert Mira Jalosuo says.
Finland lags behind in many issues
The match was practically a repeat of the match in the first group, with the difference that this time Finland was not able to make effective use of its few positions. According to Jalosuo, Finland lost the match mainly due to loose pucks and fighting.
The USA also dominated in the starting circle, which is why Finland had to constantly chase the puck.
– When there is a 45-second change, the best option was to throw the elephant puck in the middle area and go for the change. If the first loose pucks had been won at the beginning of the changes, it would have been possible to build the game with small passes towards the north, says Jalosuo.
– The USA skated, got loose pucks and was able to tire Finland in the defense zone.
Sanni Ahola has a tough job
Already after two sets, it was practically clear that Finland had no chance of winning. Expert Jalosuo wondered why Ahola played until the end of the match.
– I’m giving the coaching staff a thumbs up for this. Sanni already had 40 saves after two sets. By then, Finland had three goal posts, while the United States had many times that number, Jalosuo explains.
– Everyone who watched the game could say that Finland really had no chance of winning this game.
Ahola has become Finland’s number one goalkeeper and an extra rest would have been good for him considering Sunday’s bronze medal match. At last, Ahola could have been taken away, when the United States took a 4–0 lead in 46:24.
A threat or a possibility?
Head coach of the Women’s Lions Juuso Toivola stated to that at no point did he consider resting Ahola with the bronze medal game in mind.
Jalosuo reminds that when starting the third period, you have to think about whether playing the first keeper in a similar situation is a threat or an opportunity. Now it was a threat in terms of recovery.
– Now the USA scored three more goals. I don’t think they will shake Sanni’s confidence, but it will affect the recovery time towards the bronze game.
Bronze available on Sunday
The women’s lions will play against the Czech Republic for the bronze medal on Sunday at 20:00. Finland lost 0-4 in the opening group, although the Czech Republic finished the last two goals into an empty net.
Jalosuo sees that the image of the game will change a lot from the match against the United States. Finland is offered much more time in the attacking zone.
– Now Finland really needs to be able to play with the puck, and not just give it back to the Czech Republic. You have to focus on the game in the offensive zone.
Finland has been without a medal in two previous games. According to Jalosuo, a bronze medal would be a big deal for Finnish women’s hockey. He reminds that in the old days, a medal was so to speak certain from the Olympics, but in recent years Finland has had to work harder for a medal.
– The Olympic Committee has also supported the team since 2018. In practice, the team has been supported because Finland is a sure bronze medalist in women’s ice hockey. Now there has been no bronze medal in the previous two World Championships, Jalosuo reminds.
– Bronze is a big deal for the players and also for the coaching staff. Even the coaching staff has not won bronze in the World Championships with this coaching set-up. It will make many things easier if Finland achieves the bronze medal.