Finland narrowly defeats Canada in the first Sam Jacks Pool Final
The first Sam Jacks Pool final between Finland and Canada was closely contested and kept the audience on the edge of their seats for the full 60 minutes. In the first period, both teams tested the goalkeepers several times, but Finland’s Hanna Minkkinen and Canada’s Laurie St-Pierre were in excellent form and did not allow a single goal.
In the second period, Finland opened the scoring as Iina Kupiainen fired the ring precisely past the Canadian goalkeeper’s pad. Canada equalized the game a few minutes later with a goal from Lauren Henderson and the teams went into the intermission tied 1–1.
In the third period, Finland took the lead through Camilla Ojapalo, who converted a rebound from a shot by Maija Väyrynen into the empty net. Canada responded swiftly with a low shot from Dailyn Zimmer. Both teams also got a chance on power play, but neither managed to get a goal from it. The period ended with Finland ahead 2–3.
In the final period, Canada pressed for an equalizer and gained a power-play opportunity but could not convert. Instead, Maija Väyrynen scored shorthanded to secure the final score at 2–4. The game’s best players were Laurie St-Pierre for her outstanding saves in goal for Canada and Finland’s captain Emmi Merelä, who defended brilliantly and led her team with exemplary play throughout the match.
Full game statistics available at: https://ringette.torneopal.fi/taso/ottelu.php?otteluid=484858
