#WUAlmaty2017: Update Ice Hockey – Day 8 – Women’s Medal Games

ALMATY – The most anticipated games of today, 6 February were without doubt the medal games of the women’s tournament. USA faced-off against China for the bronze, while Canada and Russia played for gold, a repeat of the previous edition.

Women’s Bronze Medal Game

CHN vs USA

The bronze medal game between China and USA played at the Baluan Sholak Arena was a game that could go either way. In the first period, both teams had an equal number of shots on goal (7). While China could profit from four powerplays, they couldn’t net the puck. The second period, both teams continued to look for their respective weak spot, especially when Team USA could benefit from two powerplays but in vain … the scoreboard stayed blank. Finally, in the third, hardly on minute into the period, Kendra Myers was able to net the puck opening the score. Hardly three minutes later, Leah MacArthur succeeded again, while Madeline Wolsmann scored the final goal, securing the bronze. This is the second bronze for the Women’s USA ice hockey team since their participation. The first was won in Trentino, Italy in 2013. Final score: 0-3 (0-0; 0-0; 0-3).

Women’s Gold Medal Game

RUS vs CAN

A repeat from last editions final, this year’s gold medal game faced-off the strongest teams of the tournament against each other: Russia and Canada. Russia came on strong in the first period scoring two goals. It was Sosina who netted the first puck on the powerplay, while Belyakova put the two on the scoreboard. Team Canada appeared intimidated by the strong Russian play. The second period the capacity crowd of 4,500 spectators at the Baluan Sholak Arena saw a more aggressive Team Canada on the ice which resulted in a goal by Apperson, putting Canada back into the game. However, it was a hard shot from Sosina again that dropped out of the catching glove of Canadian goalie Lamenta crossing the goal line between her legs. Canada had several opportunities to outplay the Russians in 5 vs 3 powerplay situations. However, each time the ‘Red Machine’ executed a perfect penalty killing. The Russians on the contrary benefitted from the extra player during another powerplay in the 51^st minute when Shtareva netted a fourth goal, deciding the outcome of the game. The Canadian coach pulled the goalie for an extra player on the ice, but the Russians confidently skated to their victory pocketing the gold. Final score: 4-1 (2-0; 1-1; 1-0).

For Russian’s number 9, Sasha Vafina, it was a special victory. The Russian student-athlete plays for the University of Calgary Dinos. “It’s pretty special. I know a number of the girls. But this is different, here you play also for your country.” She will not show off her gold medal too much when heading back to university in Canada. “It’s just a really good feeling. I hope I can take all the good from this experience.”

Men’s Classification Round

KOR vs CHN: 7-2 with Korea ending on the 11^th place and China on 12^th.

USA vs GBR: 10-1 with the United States ending on 9^th place and the United Kingdom on 10^th.

LAT vs JPN: 7-3 with Latvia and Slovakia playing for 5^th and 6^th place and Sweden and Japan for 7^th and 8^th place.

Women’s Classification Round

KAZ vs GBR: 6-0

C. Pierre, FISU Press Officer