2010-11 National Women's Team

FINLAND FINDS BACK OF NET THRICE TO WIN OPENING 4 NATIONS CUP GAME

by Ariana Kelland

CLARENVILLE, N.L. - Swedish goaltender Kim Martin kept her team in the game Tuesday night during Game Oneof the 2010 4 Nations Cup, but despite keeping the competition at bay through much of the game, Finland cameout on top 3-0 in the end.

Both teams had a strong showing on the ice during the first, with Swedish goaltender Kim Martin andFinnish netminder Noora Räty turning the puck away at all costs. Martin stopped an impressive 14 shots at acomparable seven shots stopped by Räty. Despite being sent to the penalty box twice, Finland managed to keepSweden's offense away from its net. Sweden also went short-handed once in the first but couldn't put it pastRäty. All three penalties resulted in many close calls but no goals.

The game really started to heat up in the second, with aggressive play on both sides. Despite sufferingtwo more penalties early in the period, Sweden was able to hold off its European rival squad until 9:32 inthe period, when Saara Tuominen cracked the scoreboard. Teammate Karolina Rantamäki followed up about fiveminutes later to put Finland up 2-0.

The Swedes fought hard to comeback as time wound on the second, with a swift shot fired at Räty in thefinal 38 seconds of the period, but they couldn't get on the scoresheet by the time the buzzer indicated itwas intermission.

Finland's Michelle Karvinen increased the scoring gap to 3-0 a few minutes into the final period, withhelp from Saara Tuominen. Sweden continued to skate off penalties in the third, making it more difficult forthem to find success on the attack. Martin continued to steal the show for Sweden, making several great savesto give her team a chance to catch up, but it just wasn't enough.

Player of the game honours went to Finnish forward Karvinen and Linnea Backman of Sweden.

The Swedes have a chance to redeem themselves Wednesday, when they play reigning 4 Nations Cup champs theCanadians at 7 p.m. NT. While Canada and Sweden go head-to-head in Clarenville, Finland will play the UnitedStates starting at 7:30 p.m. in St. John's.

Penalties:
   13:25 FIN 7 Mira Jalosuo (Holding)
   14:30 FIN 11 Annina Rajahuhta (Bodychecking)
   19:22 SWE 3 Frida Nevalainen (Tripping)

Penalties:
   00:00 SWE 10 Emilia Andersson (Slashing)
   01:27 SWE 8 Erika Holst (Hooking)

Penalties:
   08:07 FIN 21 Michelle Karvinen (Slashing)
   10:53 SWE 6 Johanna Malmström (Cross Checking)
   17:01 SWE 22 Emma Eliasson (Bodychecking)