The start of the WFC final between Finland and Sweden was just as thrilling as one could expect.
After only 19 seconds into the first period Finland got a power play opportunity that they did not miss. Katriina Saarinen scored the first goal for Finland in front of a crowded goal area. But it did not take more than a minute for the Swedes and Camilla Nilsson to equalize the score after a crucial false pass by team Finland. The game was very entertaining, with scoring chances in both ends. Finland got another power play opportunity in 07.48, but was not able to score. In 16.39 Sara Kristoffersson directed a shot by Anna Rehnström and the Swedes got into the lead for the first time.
In the second period the intensity of the game continued to be very high. Sweden controlled the first half of the period and even got a power play chance, but no goal. Then in 31.37 Petra Niemenmaa scored a very nice goal from almost no angle. With only one minute left in the period Sweden regained the lead when Sara Kristoffersson almost copied the Finnish equaliser.
After 5 minutes into the third period the Arja Joutsen scored an equaliser for Finland after a great passing combination. But again it only took one minute for Sweden to regain the lead, when Anna Lundström scored the 4-3 lead for Sweden. There were some really nice passing combinations and scoring opportunities by team Sweden, but the Finnish goalie could keep the goal empty until 55.57 when a shot from quite far distance surprised Jonna Mäkelä, when her view was effectively covered by a Swedish player.
In 56.43 team Finland got their chance on power play, but could not get the ball into the net. Then in 58.52 the game was over when Emelie Lindström scored an empty net goal. Camilla Nilsson could still increase the final number to 7-3 for Sweden, the Women´s World Champions 2007.
MVP: Sara Kristoffersson 3+0 & Jonna Mäkelä
WFC 2007 Links:
Pictures from WFC 2007
Standings & Statistics
The official WFC 2007 webpage
