Russia W - Sweden W - 4:1

The 2016 IIHF Women’s World Championship quarter-final took place today against Sweden. Following the tough group stage, head coach Mikhail Chekanov opted for Nadezhda Morozova in net.

Despite Sweden’s win of group B, it was hard to predict a winner today – these two countries often play out tight matches, and both had real hope of making the semi-final stage. It was Russia who made the better start, and we took an early lead. A clever play set up Valeria Pavlova, and she made no mistake from the doorstep. Russia had lift-off, and despite Sweden’s Johana Olofsson equalising with a wrister from distance on the powerplay, our girls continued powering forward. We quickly moved ahead again, as Olga Sosina’s weak effort from the right flank slipped through the goaltender. She could have made it three too, as she hit the right post when clean through.

Russia had the initiative moving into the second period, and dominated play. The Swedes were struggling to clear their lines, and shorthanded they conceded their third goal. Nina Pirogova took aim from the blue line, and Tatyana Burina expertly tipped into the net. Sweden were rattled, and they contrived to take a further four penalties in a row. Lyudmila Belyakova came close on a number of occasions, and Angelina Goncharenko almost made Sweden pay for their ill-discipline with a few thundering slap shots.

Unfortunately, our players couldn’t score on those powerplays, and it made for a nervy third period. Sweden slowly upped their tempo as time rolled on, and Nadezhda Morozova was making some superb saves in our net. Russia also got into penalty trouble, but our girls stood up to the task and defended heroically. The Swedes pulled their goaltender for one last roll of the dice, however that only resulted in Olga Sosina hitting the empty net. 4:1, and Russia qualify for the semi-finals where we will play the USA!

Match protocol

Russia – Sweden – 4:1 (2:1, 1:0, 1:0)

Goals:

1:0 Pavlova (Sosina, Goncharenko), 03.40

1:1 Olofsson (Carlsson), 05.56

2:1 Sosina (Goncharenko), 08.49

3:1 Burina (Pirogova, Sosina), 24.49

4:1 Sosina, 59.47

Goalkeepers: Morozova – Grahn

Shots on target: 26 – 27

Penalty minutes: 12 – 10

01.04.2016. Kamloops, Canada.

Russian Ice Hockey Federation