Team USA won the 2015 IIHF Women’s World Championship

USA ladies ice hockey

North America keep their dominance in the women’s major hockey tournaments, with the European teams trailing behind. In the semifinals of the 2015 Women’s World Championship in Malmö, Sweden, USA won against Russia 13-1 and Canada beat Finland 3-0.

USA won the gold, Finland got the bronze

The final game between Candada and USA was dramatic. USA were ahead 5-2 in the second period but before the middle act was over, Canada had tied the game 5-5. However, in the third and last period, team USA were the stronger team and managed to get the tournament win with two goals, winning the final game 7-5. In the bronze game Finland won against Russia with 4-1. These results give a good picture over how the international women’s hockey are positioned right now. Canada and USA are in the top, and they have been there in all world tournaments and olympics except for the 2006 Torino games where Sweden managed to beat USA in the semifinals which led to a silver medal. Of the European teams Finland has a clear advantage right now. Comparing the semifinals, losing 3-0 to Canada is nothing to be ashamed by while Russia let in 13 goals against USA. Behind these four teams come Sweden and Switzerland. Sweden has not been able to build on the success in the 2006 olympics and sadly the team consists of amateur players who only can play hockey part-time.

Until the European teams create some sort of professional incitement for the female players they will continue to battle for the bronze medals. And it is doubtful if they can continue to take pride in calling themself the most equal countries in the world. Not in hockey town anyway..

2015 Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship

Damhockey

This year the Women’s World Championship in ice-hockey is played in Malmö, Sweden March 28 – April 4. It will be the 16th World Championships for women. So far, USA and Canada have won all gold medals. Finland has ten bronze medals, Sweden and Russia two and Switzerland one. The Swedes are of course hoping to repeat the “miracle on ice” in Torino from 2006 where they beat USA in the shootouts, making it to the final.

Schedule

The tournament consists of eight teams divided into two groups:

Group A:

USA
Canada
Finland
Russia

Group B:

Sweden
Japan
Switzerland
Germany

The first two teams of group A will make it directly to the semifinals. The 3 and 4 in group A will play quarterfinals against the 1 and 2 in group B. You can find the detailed game-schedule at the tournaments official homepage.

Playoffs

April 1:
Quarterfinal 1 and 2

April 3:
Semifinal 1 and 2

April 4:

Bronze game and Final.

We’re hoping for an exciting tournament in Sweden. The men’s World Championship are played in Czech Republic in May.

Results, Champions Hockey League semifinals 2015

Champions Hockey League

Tonight the first of two back-to-back games in the Champions Hockey League semifinals were played:

Frölunda HC 4-2 Kärpät

Sweden versus Finland in Scandinavium, Gothenburg. Sadly there was a problem with the ice in the arena and the game had to be paused for 90 (!) minutes because of problems with the ice in the second period with Frölunda in a 2-1 lead. The game could be finished at last and Frölunda could increase the lead to 4-2 and has a good chance to reach the final. We’re hoping the ice in Finland is better for the return game unless the global warming is affecting all the nordic arenas…

Skellefteå AIK 2-2 Luleå HF

Swedish derby between two teams from the north. The guests took the lead with 0-1 in the first period while the home team could make it an even game in the second. After some fighting and penalties both teams could score a goal each in the third period which means we have a tied deciding game in Luleå to look forward to next Tuesday.

The final is played 4th of February.