Active shooting on goal was Finland’s key to victory
U21 Finland – U21 Canada 9–4
Finland’s U21 national team started Thursday’s exhibition match with high energy and an active approach. Ella Tarssanen opened the scoring at 5:53. Canada’s goaltender Aeva Lott soon stopped the next scoring attempt, as Tarssanen and Hilla Haataja tried to challenge Lott with a cross-ice passing play, but Lott blocked the ring with her shield. Lauren Schoenhofen tied the game with a beautiful top-corner goal at 9:19 of the first period. Finland, however, managed to score two more goals before the end of the period, bringing the score to 3–1 after the first.
Both teams’ players weren’t afraid to forecheck aggressively and defend high up from the net.
Midway through the second period, a bouncing ring slipped past Canada’s goalie Lott, giving Finland a 4–1 lead. Finland’s goaltender Mette Saarinen made a crucial save during a longer possession spell by the Canadian team. The atmosphere in the stands was lively and tense, as many schoolchildren had gathered to cheer. When Josefina Vire celebrated Finland’s sixth goal, even the crowd joined in with dance moves and loud cheers! Just before the end of the second period, Canada’s Charlotte Anderson and Alyssa Perreault created open space in front of the net with a strong cross-ice pass, narrowing the score to 6–3.
Canada picked up right where they left off at the end of the second period, as Morgan Forrest brought them within two goals, narrowing the score to 6–4. Both teams continued to display strong forechecking and tight defensive play. Canada’s assistant captain Tessa Galandy stood out in several situations and was named the player of the game for her team. Tuuli Laakkonen received the same honor for Finland. The final score was 9–4, which accurately reflected the flow of the game. Finland had more shots on goal, while Canada’s strengths lay in their powerful passes and strong skating. The teams will meet again on Saturday at 3:00 PM at the Wemasto Arena in Lahti.
Link to match statistics and game sheet: https://ringette.torneopal.fi/taso/ottelu.php?otteluid=484905
A tight exhibition match ends in Finland’s victory
Finland – Canada 5–4
An evenly matched exhibition game unfolded on Thursday evening in Pirkkola, Helsinki, as the national teams of Finland and Canada faced off in front of more than 570 enthusiastic spectators. Both teams showcased strong forechecking and solid defensive play. Iina Kupiainen opened the scoring at 6:27 with a top-corner goal. She read the situation well when Canadian goalie Sarah Macdonald lost her stick in the corner of the rink. Kupiainen’s shot slipped in just over Macdonald’s shoulder. The first period also saw Canada’s opening goal, as Gillian Dreger, while lying on her stomach, managed to fire a backhand shot past the defenders and Finnish goalie Hanna Minkkinen.
In the second period, both teams’ goaltenders positioned themselves excellently, preventing scoring opportunities. The defensive triangles of both teams also ensured that no clear shooting lanes opened in front of the net. Maija Väyrynen created space with her movement, drawing the Canadian center away from the middle of the shooting lane, which allowed Camilla Ojapalo to give Finland a 2–1 lead just before the intermission.
Canada brought the same energy into the third period that their U21 team had shown earlier in the day. Just eight seconds into the period, Britney Snowdon tied the game 2–2, capitalizing on a long breakout pass and a rebound opportunity. Long time national team player Emmi Merelä and one of the youngest players on the Finnish team, Lotta Kujala, stood out with their strong defensive play and ability to transition the ring up the ice. Late in the third period, Torrie Shennan scored the 3–3 equalizer for Canada off a pass from Gillian Dreger.
The fourth period featured impressive skating efforts and low-corner shots from both Shennan and Väyrynen, bringing the final score to 5–4. The best players of the match were Emmi Merelä for Finland and Gillian Dreger for Canada. This thrilling and evenly matched battle promise even more excitement for the weekend at Lahti’s Wemasto Arena! The national teams will face off again on Saturday at 6:00 PM.
Link to match statistics and game sheet: https://ringette.torneopal.fi/taso/ottelu.php?otteluid=484904
