Finland takes the bronze medal in the Women's Ice Hockey World Championship after a 3-2 penalty shootout win over the Czechs

UTICA, NY – Finland defeated the Czech Republic 3-2 in the bronze medal shootout at the Women's Ice Hockey World Championship on Sunday.

Michelle Karvinen and Petra Nieminen scored and goalkeeper Sanni Ahola stopped four of five shots in the penalty shootout.

Finland returned to the World Championships podium after taking silver in 2019. They placed sixth in 2022 and fifth in 2023.

“We had the potential all along and it was a big step for us to come back,” Karvinen said.

“I think some of the players we have now have a really bright future. So it’s really important that we get a medal at this tournament when you think about the next few years.”

The Czechs were bronze medalists in 2022 and 2023.

The Czechs lost 4-0 to Canada and the Finns lost 5-0 to the USA in the semi-finals on Saturday.

“I thought we worked hard after a late semifinal and a hard-fought semifinal,” said Czech head coach Carla MacLeod, who is a former Canadian team defender.

“It's a quick turnaround and you could see at the start of the game that (we) had a little bit of trouble getting our bearings. But as the game went on I thought we got more and more comfortable. So I didn't need anything.' I think we had some incredible saves. I'm just incredibly proud.

The Czech Republic will host the 2025 Women's World Cup in Ceske Budejovice, the International Ice Hockey Federation announced on Sunday.

Karvinen and Viivi Vainikka scored a goal for the Finns in regular time. Ahola stopped 29 shots and her Czech colleague Klara Peslarova made 45 saves in regular time and extra time.

Klara Hymlarova was the only Czech to beat Ahola in the shootout. Denisa Krizova and Michaela Pejzlova were the Czech Republic's other goal scorers.

The Finns led 2-1 early in the third period when Krizova brought the Czechs level at 4:11.

Both teams had a chance to tie the game in 10 minutes of extra time. Peslarova and Ahola both made crucial saves to force additional shots.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 14, 2024.

The Canadian Press