NCAA Women's Hockey: What to Watch, February 3-5
Come back each week for a preview of interesting NCAA games coming up and some
In addition, Marie-Philip Poulin scored her first of the tournament; Meaghan Mikkelson and Halli Krzyzaniak scored twice; and Emily Clark and Jennifer Wakefield added goals. Maria Sorokina, in net for Russia in relief of Anna Prugova, stopped Mikkelson with an amazing save on a penalty shot:.@RJohnst6 ties it up shorthanded with a ridiculous shot #WomensWorlds pic.twitter.com/aGtjX0Fc0V
— CWHL Gifs (@CWHLHighlights) March 30, 2016
.@Mikkelson12's penalty shot attempt is denied by Maria Sorokina #WomensWorlds pic.twitter.com/vZCc1ttv4s
— CWHL Gifs (@CWHLHighlights) March 30, 2016
Finland played a very strong trap game to minimize scoring chances on Meeri Räisänen, but after that first goal, their offense was unable to get going as they simply waited for Team USA to make mistakes -- and while the Americans made plenty, they were also fast enough to make sure that they didn't pay for many of them. Altogether, Räisänen kept the Finns in the hunt, stopping 49 total shots. She allowed the tying goal off a deflection to Hilary Knight, and her only other lapse was the game-winner by Jocelyne Lamoureux, which was set up by two perfect passes from Shiann Darkangelo and Annie Pankowski. Team USA's power play continues to be a concern; they went 0 for 5 against Finland and never looked dominant. Finland's strength is their defense and they had a strong PK and an even better goaltender, but scoring on the power play will be crucial for Team USA once the prelims are over.Michelle Karvinen puts Finland on the board with a great move on the 2-on-1 #WomensWorlds pic.twitter.com/PrsjGjh2lL
— CWHL Gifs (@CWHLHighlights) March 29, 2016
The WWC teams have the day off today. Tomorrow the Czech Republic faces Japan at 4:00PM Eastern/1:00PM Pacific; USA faces Russia at 6:30PM Eastern/3:30PM Pacific; Sweden faces Switzerland at 8:00PM Eastern/5:00PM Pacific, and Canada faces Finland at 10:30PM Eastern/7:30PM Pacific.
(Photo credit: IIHF Hockey/Twitter)