Sweden’s narrowing goal secured the team’s place in the gold medal game
Team USA – Team Sweden 7-6
In the second match between Team USA and Team Sweden in the President’s Pool group stage at Wemasto Arena, goals were not spared.
The first period saw a total of six goals, with the USA scoring four of them. However, it was Sweden’s Meri Ruuska who opened the scoring at 3:47, assisted by her linemates Jessika Runolf and Linda Skulic, who set up Ruuska in the scoring sector. USA’s Cadence Pirtle quickly equalized, and Elisa Nasr netted the USA’s second goal. The first period also featured second goals from both Ruuska and Pirtle.
In the second period, USA’s goalkeeper Kayla Benyak made several crucial saves as Sweden’s Meri Ruuska and her teammates aimed their shots at the American goal. The only goal of the second period came from Sweden’s Kajsa Frankenberg. The teams headed to the locker rooms with a thrilling 4–3 scoreline.
At the start of the third period, the USA returned to the ice with renewed sharpness, quickly scoring their fifth goal through Jordyn Jamer. Sweden’s goalie Erica Richardson, who played convincingly, made 12 saves in the period, while the Swedish offense scored twice, bringing the game to a 5–5 tie before the final period.
In the fourth period, forwards from both teams were alert to capitalize on their opponents’ mistakes, resulting in quick offensive transitions. Sweden scored their sixth goal 10 minutes before the end of the match. That goal was enough to secure Sweden’s spot in Sunday’s gold medal game, as they improved their goal differential in head-to-head matches! USA’s Ashley Steele, who played the last two periods in goal, and defenders like Diana Coolidge—named the best player of the match—kept their composure and successfully defended the USA’s 7–6 win in a thrilling game. Sweden’s best player was Meri Ruuska, who achieved a hat trick.
In the President’s Pool, both Sweden and the USA won three games and lost one. Due to the goal difference in their head-to-head matches, Sweden advances directly to the gold medal game on Sunday from the President’s Pool series. Tomorrow, Saturday, Team USA will face Team Czechia in the bronze medal match of the President’s Pool. The game starts at 11:00 at Wemasto Arena—welcome to watch!
Match statistics and official game sheet: https://ringette.torneopal.fi/taso/ottelu.php?otteluid=484910
