Russia W - Finland W - 3:5

The first game of the 2016 IIHF Women’s World Championship took place today between Russia and Finland. Head coach Mikhail Chekanov opted for Nadezhda Morozova in our net.

Our girls came out with real confidence in Kamloops, and had the better of the opening stages. Much of the play was coming inside Finland’s zone, and Lyudmila Belyakova came close with an individual effort that drifted wide of the left post. However, with the period coming to a close, Finland struck first blood. Tanja Niskanen pulled back to the point, and let go an unstoppable wrister over Nadezhda Morozova’s blocker.

Following that setback, Russia took the initiative even more in the second frame. Tatyana Burina almost equalised, as after a faceoff draw she was denied clean through. The pressure was building in Finland’s zone, and eventually we scored. Iya Gavrilova took aim from a tight angle to the right, and she found the far corner. That looked to be the turning point, but minutes later, Finland struck back. On a powerplay Jenni Hiirikosi shot from long range, and a cunning deflection fooled our goaltender. Our players were disappointed after that, however after Finland took a penalty of their own, we equalised for a second time. Anna Shibanova let a cannon go, and it beat the goalkeeper five hole.

It was a quick start to the third period, as Tanja Niskanen’s lucky powerplay marker was cancelled out by Iya Gavrilova’s masterful wrist shot into the left corner. Unfortunately, that was as good as it was going to get for Russia. Ronja Savolainen shot beyond the unsighted Nadezhda Morozova from distance, and Noora Tulus backhanded into the net on a goalmouth scramble. That completed the scoring, and Russia begin the World Championship with a 3:5 defeat to Finland.

Russian head coach Mikhail Chekanov:

- Both teams had chances, and Finland got lucky with scoring on their chances. They scored three goals after a ricochet. We managed to take advantage of two powerplays, but we were lacking in the final minutes, and the opponents played well when ahead. It will be tough competing against Canada and the USA. Tomorrow we will prepare for the fixture against Canada.

Match protocol:

Russia W – Finland W – 3:5 (0:1, 2:1, 1:3)

Goals:

0:1 Niskanen (Saari), 18.42

1:1 Gavrilova, 31.44

1:2 Hiirikoski (Lindstedt, Valila), 34.12

2:2 Shibanova (Vafina, Pirogova), 35.43

2:3 Niskanen (Jalosuo) 43.31

3:3 Gavrilova, 47.05

3:4 Savolainen (Niskanen), 48.07

3:5 Tulus (Saari, Jalosuo), 50.35

Goalkeepers: Morozova – Raisanen

Shots on target: 25 – 28

Penalty minutes: 8 – 8

29.03.2016. Kamloops, Canada.