Sweden lost in the third round of the World Cup against Finland. The rise of female lions startled the western neighbor.
Sweden’s streak did not last three sets. Heikki Löfman / Finnish Ice Hockey Federation
At the start of the third set, Sweden led Finland 2–0. Then something happened.
Sweden collapsed in the final set of the group stage match of the Women’s Ice Hockey World Cup. The female lions scored three goals in just over four minutes, and finally won 4–2.
The Swedish broadcasting company SVT describes the third installment of Tre Kronor as a collapse.
– In the third set, we pulled away immediately. They washed us, we couldn’t take it mentally. It’s a shame, Sweden Sara Hjalmarsson commented to SVT.
Sweden’s two-goal lead was considered surprising and sensational in the neighboring country. Finland had beaten Sweden three times this season.
– 2–0, who would have thought? Great, SVT expert Maria Rooth praised.
– Sweden leads Finland in the World Cup. Have you seen this? This is so awesome, Narrator Chris Härenstam praised.
The Naisleijonat shot 22 times in two sets, while the Swedes had 11 shots on goal. In the final set, Finland’s shots started to go in.
Those representing the Swedish club Luulaja were responsible for the hits Viivi Vainikka, Ronja Savolainen and Petra Nieminen.
– Finland plays very, very well against Sweden, which is like paralyzed. Oh, oh, oh, what a rise, Härenstam explained.
Big stakes
With the performance, the Women’s Lions are very close to winning Group B, which means avoiding the USA and Canada in the first round of the playoffs.
Sweden is in the group on three points with Germany and Hungary.
Sweden has only one game left in the first group, when it faces group jumbo France on Tuesday. The western neighbor has a must-win spot – otherwise it can drop out of the A series.