Medal Matchups Set In Women’s Hockey

TEAM USA vs. TEAM SWEDEN

The Swedish Women’s Hockey team pulled off a 3^rd period comeback to defeat Finland and ink their spot to play the Americans in the Semifinal round. The Swedish team left the game against the Americans having scored 1 goal in a crushing loss. Team USA started off the game with intense pressure in the offensive zone, which led to a goal by Kacey Bellamy off of a point shot. With Team USA on the Power Play in the first, Kelli Stack fed the puck out front from behind the net for a tap in goal by Alex Carpenter. Amanda Kessel also scored in the first period to give Team USA a comfortable 3 goal lead going into intermission.

The 2^nd period was more of the same with Team USA getting a goal off of a Megan Bozek point shot. The pressure and the lead caused the Swedish goalie, Valentina Wallner, to be pulled. Wallner made several brilliant saves to keep the game from being a complete blow out. She was replaced by familiar foe, Kim Martin Hasson, who in 2006 backstopped Team Sweden to a stunning upset of the Americans and subsequently a Silver Medal. In this game, Martin Hasson played well stopping a backhand spin-o-rama penalty shot attempt in the 3^rd period by Jocelyne Lamoureux. The American offense again proved too powerful though with Monique Lamoureux scoring on the Power Play and Brianna Decker at even strength to give the team 6 goals on the day. The 3^rd period did feature a Swedish goal that was deflected in by Anna Borgqvist in heavy traffic screening American goalie, Jessie Vetter.

CORSI

*Sweden’s lone Corsi Event in the 1^st period came on a dump in attempt from the other side of center ice that careened toward the goal, was stopped by Vetter and thus counted as an SOG.

**All data tracked by JenLC (@bhawksfanjen)

TEAM CANADA vs. TEAM SWITZERLAND

The Swiss team came into their game with the Canadians widely considered the underdogs. The previous meeting between the teams was completely dominated by Team Canada. For the first few minutes of the game, the game looked to be on track for another blowout. Natalie Spooner scored a goal at even strength and another on the Power Play in the first period. Melodie Daoust scored as well but on a jam play at the side of the net that was mishandled by Swiss goalie, Florence Schelling. With a 3-0 lead, Canada continued to dominate possession, but the game was much tighter. The Swiss defense played better for the rest of the game but the real story was the magnificent play of Schelling. She made stop after stop on the Canadians and did not seem rattled by the intensity of the Canadian attack.

In the 2^nd period, Canadian goalie, Shannon Szabados, made some excellent saves as well. The Swiss went on the Power Play and Jessica Lutz was able to score to make it 3-1. The Swiss pressed offensively as much as the stingy Canadian defense would allow them but to no avail. The Canadians nearly scored again in the 3^rd period when the ever dangerous Meghan Agosta-Marciano broke away from the Swiss defense and crashed the net. Agosta-Marciano ended up in the net on top of Schelling and the goal was reviewed. It was called a no goal; however, the replays showed that the puck likely crossed the line prior to contact with the goalie. Ultimately, the disallowed goal would not matter. The Swiss were simply outmatched by the skilled and physical game of the Canadians.

CORSI

**All data tracked by JenLC (@bhawksfanjen)

Team Sweden will meet Team Switzerland in the Bronze Medal Game on Thursday, February 20, 2014 at 7 a.m. Eastern. Team USA and Team Canada will meet in the Gold Medal Game on the same day but at 12 noon Eastern.