Switzerland – Finland 3:4 (after OT) | Canada2 – USA 3:2 (end)
final/OT
Switzerland
3:4 (0:2, 2:1, 1:0 - 0:1)
Finland
Wednesday 12.02.2014, 09:00 • Olympics - Women
     
    Thank you for following the game with us! Don't miss our other hockey coverage today, in cluding the game between women's hockey super powers Canada and USA at 13.30 CET and the start of the men's hockey tournament at 18.00 CET with the classic Czech Republic vs Sweden and the other match between Latvia and Switzerland. (11:28:59)
     
    The hard work by Team Switzerland was only partially rewarded int he end by extending the game into overtime and winning a point but in the end the third sport in group A goes to Finland who will face the second of group B iin the quarterfinals while Switzerland face the winner of group B – the positions will be decided tomorrow in a direct match between Sweden and hosts Russia!
     
    Game over.
     
    62:38
    Goal for Team Finland!


    JENNI HIIRIKOSKI deflects a long pass by Linda Valimaki from the right wing into the from short distance and wins the match in OT for Finland! No chance to react for Florence schelling!

    Assisted by Linda Valimaki.
     
    61:51
    Karoliina Rantamäki appears alone in front of Florence Schelling but only hits the outside of the left post after a quick move to the left! The Fins want to get a fast decision in overtime!
     
    61:26
    Riika Valila with a nice move past the last defender but she is forced to the right circle and can't get a shot on goal.
     
    60:48
    Out of the blue Michelle Karvinen has the huge chance to win this match for Finland but from short distance she is stopped by Florence Schelling!
     
    60:01
    Overtime began.
     
    It is a little wonder but Switzerland was able to force overtime with a late power play goal through Stefanie Marty! Overtime and if necessary shootout will bring a winner!

    Shots on goal: Switzerland 7 (27) – Finland 7 (30)
     
    60:00
    3rd period finished.
     
    59:39
    Julia Marty with a blue line shot that goes just wide to the right!
     
    58:48
    The following Finnish counter stays without result.
     
    58:33
    After a pass by Stefanie Marty from the left wing it is Jessica Lutz who is not able to deflect the puck towards the net from within the slot!
     
    57:35
    Saija Tarkki (Finland) gets two minutes for interference. Power play for Switzerland once more!
     
    56:25
    Goal for Team Switzerland!

    Unbelievable!!!!!!!!!! Switzerland gets the second power play goal today!!!!!! STEFANIE MARTY with a shot from left to the Finnish net, Noora Räty is out of position for a moment and Venla Hovi who tried to clear the puck deflects it into the wide open net with her body! Bitter for Finland and what a great reward for Switzerland for their hard work today!

    Without assist.
     
    55:59
    Annina Rajahuhta (Finland) gets two minutes for an unallowed body check. This power play gives Switzerland an excellent opportunity to come back!
     
    55:35
    On the other side of the ice Noora Räty has to stop a hard shot from the left circle.
     
    54:50
    Linda Valimäki gets a pass from behind the net and tries to beat Florence Schelling into the right corner but the Swiss goalie is able to make a quick reaction!
     
    53:00
    Both head coaches give their teams a lot of instructions during a commercial break. Of course Switzerland wants to force overtime and Finland avoid just this!
     
    52:38
    Jessica Lutz' scoring attempt from the left circle goes just wide.
     
    51:19
    Icing now also against Switzerland.
     
    50:46
    A back hander by Venla Hovi is blocked by a Swiss defender who slides into the shot.
     
    49:17
    Nicole Bullo with a nice solo inside the Finnish third, goes past the defense with a series of nice moves but from short ditance her scoring attempt is blocked to the side by a defender before Noora Räty could intervene!
     
    47:34
    And again. There are a lot of breaks currently.
     
    47:25
    Another icing against the Fins.
     
    47:17
    Icing against Finland.
     
    47:09
    On the other end of the ice Stefanie Marty's shot goes straight into the gloves of Noora Räty.
     
    46:31
    Minttu Tuominen has a lot of space at the Swiss blue line but her shot is not placed well and Florence Schelling makes a pad save.
     
    45:45
    Another counter for Switzerland but they fail to get a shot on goal.
     
    45:16
    A one-timer by Hiirikoski from close to the right circle is blocked by a defender.
     
    44:02
    Nobody attacks Rosa Lindstedt and so she goes for 1-on-1 with Florence Schelling after coming from the right circle but the Swiss goalie with a save.
     
    43:20
    Switzerland is back at full strength.
     
    42:48
    Long clearance by the Swiss defense, still the Finnish power play is not working in this tournament.
     
    42:24
    Phoebe Stanz with a shorthanded counter for Switzerland but her shot from the left circle goes straight into the pads of Noora Räty.
     
    41:20
    Laura Benz (Switzerland) gets two minutes for cross-checking.
     
    41:20
    Susanna Tapani with a pass back to the blue line for Emma Terho whose one-timer is no danger for Florence Schelling.
     
    40:17
    A blue line shot by Jenni Hiirikoski hits the right leg of 15 year old Alina Müller who leaves the ice for further treatment.
     
    40:01
    Start of 3rd period.
     
    Switzerland started extremly aggressive into the middle period and they were rewarded with two fast goals for the equalizer. Only after a match penalty for kicking against Switzerland's Evelina Raselli and the following five minute power play the Fins found back into the match and eventually were able to get the lead back for a 3-2 after 40 minutes!

    Shots on goal: Switzerland 14 (20) – Finland 13 (23)
     
    40:00
    2nd period finished.
     
    39:47
    Riikka Valila receives a pass from behind the net but fals to get a one-timer and then to battle in the puck into the left bottom corner with several rebounds from short distance! Big saves by Florence Schelling who keeps her team in the game!
     
    39:00
    The puck goes back and forth without much action in front of the nets currently.
     
    37:19
    Huge pressure by the Swiss in front of the Finnish net but out of the crowd they don't get a shot on target.
     
    35:59
    The 5-minute penalty is over and Switzerland is back at full strength.
     
    35:31
    Goal for Team Finland!


    The Fins needed very long in power play but now they are back in front. MICHELLE KARVINEN was left alone in front of Florence Schelling and tipped in a well-timed cross-pass from the right circle by Susanna Tapani!

    Assisted by Susanna Tapani and Jenni Hiirikoski.
     
    34:47
    Best chance for Finland in this power play but somehow Florence Schelling keeps a one-timer from short distance towards the left corner outside!
     
    34:22
    A Finnish attacker with a solo but just in front of the net a Swiss defender clears the puck with her stick laying on the ice!
     
    33:30
    The Swiss defense does an excellent job keeping the puck far away for their net, having killed half of their penalty already.
     
    31:20
    There are still lengthy discussions in a break between the head coach of Switzerland Kammerer and the American referee Blair regarding the previous match penalty.
     
    31:12
    Switzerland gets one woman out of the penalty box again and it's a 5 on 4 now.
     
    30:59
    Evelina Raselli (Switzerland) gets a match penalty for kicking an opponent with her skates after being pushed to the ice by Annina Rajahuhta who is lucky to stay without a penalty herself! 5 minute power play now for Finland and they start with a 5 on 3 situation!
     
    30:43
    Jenni Hiirikoski with a shot from the right circle that goes just over the crossbar!
     
    30:13
    Phoebe Stanz just misses the puck being alone in front of the Finnish goalie crease after a cross-pass from the right circle...!
     
    29:12
    Venla Hovi (Finland) gets two minutes for holding an opponent – we'll see a 4 on 4 for the next two minutes.
     
    29:12
    Sandra Thalmann (Switzerland) gets two minutes for interference.
     
    28:00
    Goal for Team Switzerland!

    Who would have though this before the start of the period?! The Swiss team keeps the puck inside the Finnish third during the power play and out of the croud in front of the net from short distance PHOEBE STANZ beats Noora Räty after a brilliant pass to the left by her team mate Jessica Lutz.

    Assisted by Jessica Lutz.
     
    27:31
    Emma Terho (Finland) gets two minutes for holding an opponent.
     
    27:31
    Break away for Switzerland but Sara Benz is stopped in the very last moment by the last defender when she tried to deke out Räty – with unfair means though and there will be a penalty!
     
    25:00
    The Fins completely lost their controll of the game and are forced back into their own zone by a now highly aggressive Switzerland.
     
    23:28
    Goal for Team Switzerland!

    The Swiss are on fire! They are keeping the pressure high and ROMY EGGIMAN scores their first goal at these Olympic Games after a shot from the right circle was deflected into the left bottom corner by the skates of a Finnish defender – no chance at all for Räty! It firsted looked like Sarah Forster had tipped in the puck but after a long video review the officials gave the goal to Eggiman.

    Assisted by Nicole Bullo.
     
    23:14
    Afer a mistake in the Finnish defense Sara Benz tries it with a deke against Noora Räty but then misses the wide open net! What a chance!
     
    22:13
    2-on-1 break away for Switzerland but Phobe Stanz tries it herself from the left circle instead of giving a pass to the right to the better positioned Stefanie Marty who then slipped during the attempt to get the rebound!
     
    21:24
    Riikka Valila with the first shot on goal in the middle period but from within the slot she can't beat Schelling.
     
    20:01
    Start of 2nd period.
     
    Team Finland was the dominating side in the first 20 minutes. They had the better opportunities and used the few Swiss mistakes in defense, including scoring in a shorthanded break away!

    Shots on goal: Switzerland 6 – Finland 10
     
    20:00
    1st period finished.
     
    19:21
    Several players appeared in front of the Finnish net but out of the crowd the Swiss failed to beat Noora Räty from short distance.
     
    19:04
    Switzerland successfully killed the penalty and is back at full strength.
     
    18:40
    Icing against Finland after a long pass wasn't stopped at the Swiss bliue line. Not yet a brilliant effort by the Northern Europeans to get their power play formation in front of the net.
     
    18:00
    Good penalty killing so far by the Swiss team which clears several pucks easily.
     
    17:04
    Alina Müller (Switzerland) gets two minutes for slashing after attacking the Finnish goalie a bit too harsh during the attempt to get the puck back! First power play for Finland.
     
    17:04
    Alina Müller tries it from the left circle but her shot towards the left bottom corner is blocked well by Noora Räty despite having several players in front of her and having a very limited view.
     
    16:19
    Hiirikoski finds no team colleague for a pass waiting behind the Swiss net and so she tires it with a wrap around that goes just wide past the far post!
     
    14:25
    Finally a scoring attempt by the Swiss offense again but a shot by Sara Benz from the right circle is deflected wide by a defender.
     
    13:49
    Jenni Hiirikoski with a blue line shot straight into the glove hand of Florence Schelling.
     
    12:30
    The Fins keep the pressure high and Switzerland barely is able to clear the epuck from their own zone.
     
    10:45
    Finland with another big chance, this time Nina Tikkinen hits the upper part of the right goal post with a shot from the right circle!
     
    10:18
    The Fins are back at full strength. So far their special teams are doing a great job, killing two penalties and scoring shorthanded!
     
    09:55
    Time out by Team Switzerland!
     
    09:55
    Goal for Team Finland!


    Suddenly MICHELLE KARVINEN has a break away after a great pass by a team mate towards the Swiss blue line using the boards and she leaves Florence Schelling in the Swiss net no chance by deking her out to the left and scoring the 2-0 shorthnaded!

    Assisted by Susanna Tapani and Anna Kilponen.
     
    09:19
    The Swiss offense has major problems to even get into the Finnish zone despite having a woman more on the ice.
     
    08:18
    Emma Terho (Finland) gets two minutes for tripping. Second power play already for Switzerland.
     
    07:56
    Goal for Team Finland!


    After killing this early penalty Finland uses the momentum to score the 1-0 lead! A shot by Mira Jalosuo from the right wing at height of the blue line was tipped in out of the air just below the crossbar by JENNI HIIRIKOSKI from close to the right circle and the puck went just between Schelling and the right post!

    Assisted by Mira Jalosuo and Michelle Karvinen.
     
    06:21
    Finland is back at full strength without allowing a chance during this shorthanded play, just one harmless shot from the blue line.
     
    06:05
    Long clearance by the Fins, Switzerland has to start the attack in the own zone again.
     
    05:29
    So far the Swiss power play formation has not shown a real effect. Stefanie Marty receives the puck inside the neutral zone but when she crossed the blue line several team colleagues were already in the Finnish zone – offside.
     
    04:21
    Penalty against Finland for having too many players on the ice. This gives Switzerland the first power play early in the game.
     
    03:34
    Susanna Tapani with a beautiful solo, dekes out two defenders but then is forced to skate behind the net. She stayed with the puck but from left to the net she failed to beat Schelling with the angle being too sharp.
     
    02:54
    A shot by the Northern Europeans from the left circle is no danger for the Swiss goalie.
     
    02:08
    Minttu Tuominen has a double chance for Finland. First she tried to tip in a long pass from short distance before she received back her own rebound but the following back hander at the right post was also stopped by Schelling.
     
    01:16
    On the other side of the ice a blue line shot is easily stoppd by Florence Schelling.
     
    00:37
    Swiss forward Alina Müller has the first shot on goal in this match but from the left wing she couldn't surprise Noora Räty and the goalie made a glove save.
     
    00:01
    Game started.
     
    The teams entered the ice and the players' names are presented. The game is about to start in a few minutes.
     
    Starting lineups:

    Switzerland: Schelling (Anthamatten) – L. Benz, Thalmann, Forster, Bull, J. Marty "C", Frautschi, Altmann – S. Benz, Müller, Stiefel – Nabholz, Raselli, Eggimann – S. Marty, Lutz, Stanz – Waidacher. Head coach: Rene Kammerer.

    Finland: Räty (Räisänen) – Hiirikoski "C", Jalosu, Terho, Tarkki, Lindstedt, Kilponen, Villila – Tuominen, Karvinen, Tapani – Hovi, Välimäki, Tikkinen – Välilä, Rantamäki, Nuutinen – Rajahuhta, Tanskanen. Head coach: Mika Pieniniemi.

    Referees: Blair (USA) – Johnson (USA), Kúdelová (SVK).
     
    Finland and Switzerland both missed the direct qualification in group A for the semifinals of the women's tournament of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi but due to the new format they were already qualified automatically for the quarterfinals where they'll face the two winners of group B – Russia and Sweden – just it stays open who meets who.

    While Finland was able to keep the results against the North American top favourites Canada (0-3 after two scoreless inning) and USA (1-3) close, the Swiss team was chanceless in both occassions (0-5 against Switzerland and 0-9 against USA): This gives Finland not only the role as the favourites in this last group match but also for the semifinals while Switzerland has to fear a defeat against the teams of group B.
     
    Welcome. Game starts at 03:00 ET / 09:00 CET / 12:00 MSK which is also the local time in Sochi.
    Commentary by

    Dennis Mende

    Goals & lineups Match log
    Goals and assists: 24. Eggiman (Bullo), 28. Stanz (Lutz), 57. Marty – 8. Hiirikoski (Jalosuo, Karvinen), 10. Karvinen (Tapani, Kilponen), 36. Karvinen (Tapani, Hiirikoski), 63. Hiirikoski (Valimaki)

    Switzerland: Schelling (Anthamatten) – L. Benz, Thalmann, Forster, Bull, J. Marty "C", Frautschi, Altmann – S. Benz, Müller, Stiefel – Nabholz, Raselli, Eggimann – S. Marty, Lutz, Stanz – Waidacher. Head coach: Rene Kammerer.
    Finland: Räty (Räisänen) – Hiirikoski "C", Jalosu, Terho, Tarkki, Lindstedt, Kilponen, Villila – Tuominen, Karvinen, Tapani – Hovi, Välimäki, Tikkinen – Välilä, Rantamäki, Nuutinen – Rajahuhta, Tanskanen. Head coach: Mika Pieniniemi.
    Referees: Blair (USA) – Johnson (USA), Kúdelová (SVK).