Sweden celebrated the President’s Pool championship after overtime victory in Lahti
The final between Sweden and the USA was a fast-paced, skillful, and thrilling battle that kept the crowd on the edge of their seats until Kajsa Frankenberg’s overtime goal sealed the title for Sweden.
The opening period was a goal-filled spectacle with a total of six goals. Team USA struck the first goal just 26 seconds in, as captain Darcy Woods put the ring into the net. Sweden answered strongly, scoring three goals to take a 3–1 lead. The USA reacted immediately and called a timeout after which they responded through Pirtle’s goal. However, the most valuable player of the whole tournament Meri Ruuska netted her second of the game shortly after, giving Sweden a 4–2 advantage heading into the second period. In the second period the tempo remained high, though the scoring slowed. Frankenberg blasted Sweden’s fifth goal into the top corner, while Pirtle again cut the deficit for the USA. Sweden held a 5–3 lead at halftime.
In the third period, team USA pressed hard to get back into the game, narrowing the gap with a goal from Brooke Fels. Sweden answered with a power-play marker, and Ruuska recorded yet another hat trick — her fourth of the tournament. Entering the final period, Sweden led by two goals. The USA refused to give up the victory and Woods scored her second of the game. Sweden took two penalties which were on simultaneously for about one minute and the Americans earned a 5-on-3 opportunity. Although Sweden’s penalty kill held firm in the situation, USA’s Nyah Bodnarchuk equalized the game later with three minutes remaining, forcing overtime.
The overtime began nervously, with chances at both ends. Sweden got the ring into the net once, but the goal was disallowed due to a crease violation. The decisive moment came just over six minutes into overtime when Emilia Castañeda Månsson circled behind the net and fed the ring to Kajsa Frankenberg, who scored to give Sweden an 8–7 victory and the championship title. The players of the game were Nyah Bodnarchuk (USA) and Nilla Wernersson (Sweden).
Sweden capped off a flawless tournament run with the gold medal. Also the most valuable player awards of the tournament for each team were given after the game. MVP of team Czech was Charitina Stelbaska, Jenna Fedigan for USA, and Linda Skulic for the winning team Sweden.
Complete game statistics: ringette.torneopal.fi/taso/ottelu.php?otteluid=484915
