Czechia Gets First Olympic Win, Shuts Out Finland 2-0

On Sunday, Czechia and Finland faced off in Milan. Both teams were looking for a win, with Finland coming off a brutal defeat at the hands of Team USA in their first game, while Czechia had suffered the same fate on Thursday, plus a shootout loss to Switzerland. In the end, it was the Czechs who walked out of Milano Rho Ice Arena with their first win of the Olympic women’s hockey tournament. 

Czechia had a hot start, with the opening goal just over three minutes into the game. Tereza Pištěková got one past Finland’s goaltender Anni Keisala for her first-ever Olympic goal. Barbora Juříčková was credited with the lone assist.

Czechia is a hard-nosed team, and that often comes with some time in the box. While the Czech penalty kill worked hard to prevent any goals, Finland was able to build back some momentum during two consecutive power plays.

Then Natálie Mlýnková stole the puck off Ronja Savolainen and put it right in the back of the net. It was her first goal of this tournament, but perfectly showed off her speed and decision-making as she challenged one of the sport’s  most formidable defenders. That swung the game’s direction solidy back in favor of Czechia, which was only reinforced when Michelle Karvinen took a tripping penalty late in the first period.

When the game returned after intermission, Karvinen was quick to make up for the penalty with a beautiful breakout attempt right out of the box, but Czech goaltender Klára Peslarová made the save. Despite being outscored, Finland led the shots in the first period, but in the second, Czechia started to catch up on the shot counter. They played aggressively and drove the net, crashing into Keisala several times throughout the game. 

Finland came out strong at the start of the third period, but at that point, it was clear that this was Czechia’s game. With their hard-hitting style of play and attention to detail, the Czechs were able to make every moment count as they continued to put pressure on the Finns and shots on Keisala. While both teams had some chances throughout the third period, no more goals were scored in this game. With just under two minutes in the game, Finland’s coaches made the decision to pull Keisala, and Czechia took their opportunities on the empty net. Perhaps the best save of the game came not from Keisala or Peslarová, but from Finnish defender Jenni Hiirikoski, who made a sliding block to prevent an empty net goal.

When the clock hit zero, the score was the same as it was at the end of the first period, and Peslarová had earned her first Olympic shutout with 25 saves. The Czech goaltender played excellently and was a huge part of her team’s success. This game would have had a very different outcome without Peslarová’s key saves at some critical moments.

After two rough losses, this victory over Finland could be the game that gets Czechia back on track. They’re predicted to be bronze medal contenders, and this game made a strong case for standing on the podium. Czechia is in action again against Canada tomorrow, which will give us some evidence of whether or not this team may even have more than bronze in them. 

The Other Game of the Day

France 0, Sweden 4

Both games today were a shutout, with Sweden’s own courtesy of Emma Söderberg. She made 14 saves for her first Olympic shutout. The Damkronorna put up 49 shots on French goaltender Alice Philbert, who has also played strong in this tournament.

Sweden’s goal scorers were Thea Johansson, Sara Hjalmarsson, Hanna Thuvik and Lisa Johansson. Thea Johansson’s goal was her fourth of the tournament, while Thuvik’s was her first Olympic goal. Hjalmarsson’s was also memorable, as it bounced off her head before she buried it behind Philbert.

Monday, Feb 9 Games

Japan 🇯🇵 vs. Italy 🇮🇹 at 12:10 PM (6:10 AM EST)

Germany 🇩🇪 vs. France 🇫🇷 at 4:40 PM (10:40 AM EST)

Switzerland 🇨🇭vs. USA 🇺🇸 at 8:40 PM (2:40 PM EST)

Canada 🇨🇦vs. Czechia 🇨🇿 at 9:10 PM (3:10 PM EST)

Game to Watch

Canada 🇨🇦vs. Czechia 🇨🇿: Team Canada is playing in only their second game of the tournament, while Czechia has played three. Both teams are riding high from wins, though the Czechs have to take on Canada with less rest. Either way, it should be a good marker of just how strong both teams are against opponents that can challenge them.