Finland – Germany2 2:1 (end) | Russia – Japan2 6:3 (end)
final
Russia
6:3 (1:0, 3:2, 2:1)
Japan2
Sunday 16.02.2014, 18:00 • Olympics - Women
     
    Thanks for following the game with us! Have a good night! (20:19:42)
     
    Russia has qualified for the game for the 5th spot against Finland who earlier today beat Germany 2-1 in a close match. For Japan the game for the 7th spot goes against exactly these Germans who beat the Asians 4-0 in the group stage already. The loser of the game for the 7th spot will have to play a relegation against the winners of the Division I to determine who plays in the Top Division during the next women's IIHF World Championship!
     
    The Japanese scored early in the third period and it looked like they might start a race to catch up after the 4-3 but then the Russians took over the initiative again and with cleverness defended their small leads in the following minutes before deciding the match with two more power play strikes for a solid 6-3 win! As even as the game often appeared, as deserved is the Russian win still as they won every of the three periods!

    Shots on goal: Russia 13 (32) – Japan 8 (27)
     
    60:00
    Game over.
     
    58:03
    With less than two minutes left to play and a three goal deficit the Japanes pull goalie Nana Fujimoto out for an additional skater! Most likely too late for a race to catch up!
     
    57:26
    Instead of just waiting for counter attacks the Russians take their destiny into their own hands and try it with pressing themselves.
     
    56:34
    Almost the next one for Russia! Olga Sosina had a great solo but was stopped by Fujimoto!
     
    55:42
    Goal for Team Russia!


    The Russians with their third power play goal of the night already, make it 6-3! A shot from the red line by Anna Shibanova was deflected next to the net and the puck came straight to TATYANA BURINA who fired it into the back of the net from short distance! That should be the decisive goal!

    Assisted by Anna Shibanova and Alyona Khomich.
     
    54:22
    Hanae Kubo (Japan) gets two minutes for tripping.
     
    53:40
    Just after the Japanese were back at full strength Smolentseva had another back hand attempt without success.
     
    53:06
    Another shot by Angelina Goncharenko is no danger for Nana Fujimoto who had a very clear view this time.
     
    52:30
    A long distance shot by Anna Sibanova from the blue line caused a bit of trouble for Nana Fujimoto but in the ned she was able to cover the puck up!
     
    51:37
    Haruna Yoneyama (Japan) gets two minutes for kneeing.
     
    51:16
    The home team gets loud support by the majority of the fans in the arena and try to get more going in offense!
     
    50:18
    Japan almost with the quick response! Hirano missed the net with a shot from within the slot though!
     
    49:39
    Goal for Team Russia!


    GALINA SKIBA ends a fast passing combination initiiated by Tatyana Burina and Iya Gavrilova with a shot into the then wide open net from short distance – 5-3 for Russia and maybe the decision in this match?!

    Assisted by Tatyana Burina and Iya Gavrilova.
     
    47:50
    Aina Takeuchi (Japan) gets two minutes for high-sticking.
     
    47:30
    Fujimoto with a big save against a back hand attempt by Gavrilova and then the Russian team mates were not able to get the rebound!
     
    46:20
    Hirano with an unexpected scoring attempt from behind the net but her backhander is stopped by Leskina.
     
    45:00
    Japan is able to keep the game very balanced. They could score at any time. Who would have thought before the game?
    Commentary by

    Dennis Mende

    Goals & lineups Match log
    Goals and assists: 17. Shukina (Shokhina), 27. Shokhina (Smolentseva), 28. Skiba (Gavrilova, Burina), 32. Sosina (Smolentseva, Shokhina), 50. Skiba (Burina, Gavrilova), 56. Burina (Shibanova, Khomich) – 27. Ukita, 27. Toko (Kubo), 43. Osawa (Takeuchi, Hirano)

    Russia: Prugova (Leskina) – Tkachyova, Dyubanok, Goncharenko, Kapustina, Khomich, Shibanova, Shukina – Gavrilova, Burina, Skiba – Smolentseva "C", Sosina, Lebedeva – Vafina, Smolina, Dergachyova – Shokhina, Pashkevich. Head Coach: Mikhail Chekanov.
    Japan2: N. Fujimoto (Nakaoku) – Koike, Hori, Toko, Suzuki, Aoki, Takeuchi, Kondo – Osawa "C", Hirano, Kubo – Yoneyama, M. Fujimoto, Nakamura – Adachi, Ukita, Shishiuchi – Yamane, Sakagami. Head Coach: Yuchi Iizuka.
    Referees: Eskola (FIN) – Girard (FRA), Novotná (CZE).